Start the New Year with a 30-Day Trial That Could Change Your Life

Forget resolutions that fizzle out by mid-January. What if you treated the New Year as a 30-day experiment instead?

One of the smartest ways to kick off the year isn’t by promising lifelong change—it’s by committing to a single, doable shift for just one month. A 30-day trial gives you structure, focus, and a real shot at success without the pressure of permanence. It’s not about perfection—it’s about discovering what’s possible.

A well-known study from researchers at University College London, published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, found that habit formation takes an average of 66 days, though it can vary widely depending on the person and behavior. (read the study)

Why a 30-Day Trial Works

New Year’s resolutions fail because they ask you to go from 0 to 100 with no wiggle room. But a 30-day trial? That’s temporary, manageable, and backed by momentum. It’s just long enough to push through the hard part—and short enough that your brain doesn’t rebel.

You commit to a new daily habit or behavior for the next 30 days. At the end, you evaluate:

• Was this worth continuing?
• What did I learn about myself?
• Should I tweak, stop, or double down?

Even if you go back to your old ways, you’ve gained clarity—and that’s a win.

“You can do just about anything for 30 days. Treat it as an experiment, not a life sentence.” – Steve Pavlina

Real Examples of Life-Changing 30-Day Trials

This simple approach has helped people around the world:

• Quit smoking or caffeine
• Launch an online business or blog
• Practice daily meditation
• Wake up earlier (and actually enjoy it)
• Exercise consistently
• Eliminate soda or sugar
• Pay off debt and start saving
• Organize their home, office, or life
• Learn a new language or skill
• Build a journaling habit
• Improve confidence and social skills
• Complete a long-postponed project
• … and even start over after failure

A 30-Day Trial Isn’t Just About Success

Sometimes you’ll learn that a habit just isn’t for you—and that’s OK. The value is in the clarity. You’re not guessing or relying on motivation. You’re learning through action.

Even when a trial “fails,” most people are grateful they tried. They now know why something didn’t work. They got out of indecision and into movement—and that’s the mindset shift that leads to real breakthroughs.

My Favorite Strategy: Prep Before You Start

I’ve learned that I do best when I don’t start immediately. Instead, I take about a week to prepare:

• I read about the habit or goal
• I visualize the experience and results
• I journal about why I’m doing it
• I gather the tools I need to succeed

By the time Day 1 hits, I’m not forcing myself—I’m excited to begin. That burst of momentum helps carry me through the crucial first week.

Your Next Step

What’s one change you’ve been meaning to make? Instead of promising yourself a “new you,” commit to a 30-day test run. Make January your experiment month.

Want accountability and income motivation? Try building a simple side hustle over the next 30 days. You’ll learn something new, take control of your financial future—and maybe even discover a path to lasting freedom.

Try a 30-Day Online Side Hustle Challenge

We’ve gathered our favorite low-cost opportunity designed for beginners, retirees, and everyone in-between. You’ll find it just below this article. No pressure—just one step at a time.