Boston-based start-up Behavioral Technology Group has developed a wearable that electric-shocks its wearers to remind them to do planned tasks or stop them from doing what they determined they should not, according to Boston Business Journal.

Pavlok, a wristband, was created by productivity and travel hacker Maneesh Sethi and is intented to help users break bad habits or develop good ones, by vibrating, beeping or giving off electric shocks.

With the Pavlok app, users can establish personal goals, such as exercising, waking up earlier, quitting smoking or staying away from social media with the goal of achieving better productivity. If they renege on their commitment, the device will give off electric shocks.

"The shock is not designed to be excruciating," said Sethi, as quoted by The Mirror. "It is a mild jolt that captures your attention and helps build in a reinforcement response."

The electric shock can vary from 17 volts to 340 volts, said the start-up's marketing head, according to a report by TechCrunch.

"It's nothing that's painful. Well, it may be painful," the executive said. "It's not enjoyable. It's unpleasant. But it's not, like, severe pain."

Additionally, Pavlok wearers will also pay a financial penalty for not fulfilling commitments. They'll be asked to donate a certain amount of money to charity or a stranger if a goal is not met.

Sethi, a Stanford University graduate, conceived the idea behind Pavlok when a few years ago he was having problems finishing tasks due to distractions.

"I started to develop systems that helped me get focus - for example I would hire an assistant to sit next to me and keep me on track, even slapping me when necessary," he said. "I would also make bets with my friends to exercise, meaning that if I failed to go to the gym, I'd have to pay a $50 penalty."

Sethi's company is launching a campaign on crowdfunding site Indiegogo this week to raise $50,000 for the production and manufacturing of the wristbands, which it plans to start shipping in March or April 2015.Pavlok may be preordered for an introductory price of $99 on the website.