I would like to be able to distinguish between 'getting support' and 'finding ways to make myself anticipate shame at failure'. They certainly feel different from the inside. I find the motivation from public commitment to be useful in the short term (eg. a night or two of work, tops) but actually counter-productive in the longer term. On the other hand, 'support' I associate with encouragement, and the knowledge that there are other people on my 'team'. That I find useful in the longer term.
A blog post by Derek Sivers links to evidence that stating one's goals makes one less likely to accomplish them.
Excerpt:
Link: Shut up! Announcing your plans makes you less motivated to accomplish them.