Ever have one of those mornings where you sit down with your tea, open your laptop, and wonder if starting an online business at this stage of life is completely bonkers? Yeah, me too.
Starting something new is exciting at first. But staying motivated when you’re tired after a full day at work, when your joints ache, or when your younger colleagues seem to grasp technology instantly? That’s where it gets tricky.
Can You Relate?
If you’ve ever felt like you’re putting in the effort but seeing minimal results, you’re not alone. Building an online business takes time. Especially when you’re juggling a demanding job, family responsibilities, and perhaps caring for elderly parents.
Motivation can plummet when progress feels glacial, or when it seems like every twenty-something with a smartphone is making thousands whilst you’re still figuring out how to format a blog post properly.
Here’s the Good News
Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It means you’re learning something new, and let’s face it, we don’t learn as quickly as we did in our twenties. But we learn more thoroughly, and that’s an advantage.
You don’t need to feel inspired every day. You just need systems that support you, especially on the days when your energy is low or when retirement feels impossibly far away.
Real Talk: What You Actually Need to Know
Let’s be honest about what motivation looks like at our stage of life. It’s not about bouncing out of bed at 5am for a “hustle session” or working until midnight fuelled by energy drinks. It’s about sustainable habits that work with your life, not against it. You’ve got decades of discipline from your career – getting to work on time, meeting deadlines, managing difficult projects. Those same skills apply here, just in a different context. The key is adapting them to work with your energy levels, your commitments, and yes, even those moments when you wonder if you should just stick to your day job until retirement.
Remember Your “Why” (and Make It Concrete)
Some mornings, motivation is hiding under the duvet with you. That’s when your “why” becomes crucial.
Are you doing this to top up your pension? To afford those Mediterranean cruises you’ve always dreamed about? To prove you’ve still got it? To leave something meaningful behind?
Write that reason down. Put it where you’ll see it every morning. When I’m struggling, I look at my retirement savings projection and remember exactly why I’m building this business.
Set Age-Appropriate Goals
Big goals are brilliant, but at our age, we need to be realistic about our energy levels and time constraints.
Want to build a profitable blog? Start with publishing one quality post a fortnight. Planning an online shop? Begin with listing five products. Looking at social media? Master one platform before tackling others.
Small, consistent progress beats sporadic bursts of activity that leave you exhausted.
Track Your Wins (Especially the Technical Ones)
At our age, every technical hurdle we overcome is worth celebrating.
Finally worked out how to schedule an email? Brilliant! Uploaded your first product photo? Fantastic! Figured out what SEO stands for? You’re doing better than most!
I keep a “victory log” specifically for tech achievements. It’s remarkably motivating on difficult days.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Younger Entrepreneurs
Social media is full of thirty-somethings claiming they made six figures in six months. What they don’t mention is their decade of prior experience or their ability to work eighteen-hour days.
Your journey is different. You’re building something sustainable, not chasing quick wins. Your experience, credibility, and life wisdom are assets those youngsters don’t have.
Find Your Tribe (of Mature Entrepreneurs)
Isolation kills motivation faster than anything else. But finding people who understand the specific challenges of starting a business later in life? That’s gold.
Look for Facebook groups specifically for mature entrepreneurs, join forums for over-50s in business, or connect with others at your local library’s computer classes. Having someone who understands why learning new software feels overwhelming makes all the difference.
My Wake-Up Call
A few years ago, I realised my pension wouldn’t cover the retirement I’d imagined. I decided to start an online business, despite barely knowing how to attach files to emails.
My first month? I spent more time googling “how to…” than actually doing anything productive. I remember calling my nephew in tears because I couldn’t work out how to install WordPress. He helped, bless him, but I felt ancient.
Then I met Margaret at a local business networking event. She was 62, had started selling her handmade soaps online, and was making enough to fund her annual trips to see her grandchildren in Australia.
She said something that stuck with me: “We might be slower to start, but we’re less likely to give up. We know what real hard work looks like.”
That perspective shift changed everything. I stopped comparing myself to the youngsters and started appreciating my own journey.
What You Can Do Today
- Write down three reasons why financial security in retirement matters to you.
- Choose one small task that moves your business forward (even just 15 minutes).
- List three life skills you have that younger entrepreneurs lack.
- Find one online community for mature entrepreneurs and introduce yourself.
- Forgive yourself for not being “tech-native.” You’re tech-capable, and that’s enough.
Age Is Your Advantage, Not Your Obstacle
You’ve navigated career changes, raised families, managed mortgages, and weathered recessions. A bit of technology and some new marketing concepts? You’ve faced tougher challenges than this.
The difference now is that you’re building something for yourself, on your own terms, to secure the retirement you deserve.
Closing Thought
What would your retired self thank you for persevering with today?
Ready to Keep Going?
You’re already doing better than you think. And tomorrow? You’ll be one step closer to that financial freedom you’re working towards.
Remember, every step forward is a victory, no matter how small it feels today.
That’s a wrap on the Getting Started section. Well done! 🎉
You’ve built a solid foundation, and your journey through the Beginner’s Roadmap is just getting started.
👉 Up next: How Do I Build a Website for My Online Business?
Or revisit the beginning: Learn How to Make Money Online – A Beginner’s Guide