Principlev1
Calibrate commitment stakes to hurt meaningfully without
Calibrate commitment stakes to hurt meaningfully without devastating, because stakes that are too low lack force while stakes that are too high trigger shame spiraling.
Why This Is a Principle
This principle derives from loss aversion (Losses loom larger than equivalent gains in human), cognitive dissonance causing distress (Cognitive Dissonance Drives Information Avoidance), and the distinction between behavior-focused and identity-focused evaluation (Behavior-focused negative self-evaluation is psychologically). It prescribes careful calibration of consequences to maintain motivation without triggering self-protective avoidance.