Maybe 60 day experiments would be better?

[Froztwolf]

According to psychological research summarized in the article linked below, a 30 day trial will most of the time not be long enough to properly form a habit to the point where it is effortless.
How Long to Form a Habit? | PsyBlog

I have noticed this myself as some habits I have dropped as soon as the 30 day trial was over without really intending to.
While it may seem like much more effort, maybe 60-day trials would be a better rule of thumb.

[Shane]

Thanks for that link! Highly interesting.

I have personally found that the time it takes to form a habit varies, depending on what the habit is and on how frequently it is performed. For me, something done daily becomes a habit more quickly than something done, say, twice a week.

[ssandra]

I also think that 30 days gives you a good indication if you want to continue this habit or not. If you do, you will obviously still have to work on it, but at least you know from experience that it is worth it.

[Conan Stevens]

30 days trial is easy to sell to someone, I know I have used this technique.

Then at the end of the 30 days you have to be there to point out the benefits and "resell" the 30 day trial.

After this you can tell them, that it is now only another 30 days and all this 'work' will become 2nd nature and they'll do it is a habit.

there you go 90 days, which is enough to form a new habit, but sold in easy to take chunks.

[joyfulgrowth]

Loving the idea of chunks! (even in selling it to myself)
Thanks!

[Remiel]

Was the point of the 30 day trial to fully form the habit? Or was it to get you over the initial hump of OMG this is difficult?

[James81]

The reality is that it takes a good 6 months to a year to really form a habit. The idea behind the 30 day trial, though, is still a good one because it's usually those first 30 days that are the hardest to overcome.