How do you stay motivated as an older beginning guitarist?

How did you stay motivated as a beginning guitarist (who is over 50 years old)?

Two pieces of advice I offer all my students, regardless of their age. First: manage your expectations! You cannot expect to master this in weeks or months, it is the work of a lifetime. You can, however- and this is my second piece of advice- have fun while you’re learning!

I ask my students not to set the guitar down until they do something that makes them smile. I don’t care what it is! Did you play that single note beautifully? Did you finally get that strumming pattern you were aiming at? Did you learn something new about the neck of the guitar? Enjoy the ride, pat yourself on the back frequently and have fun with it! Having fun doing anything spikes up your endorphins, and that is a great way to stay motivated, imho.