"At 46, it's too late for me." The reason that assumption is robbing you of 200,000 yen in monthly income

❓ What will you learn from this article?
➡️ The scientific basis for why it's not too late to start at 46 and aim for a monthly income of 200,000 yen with an Excel side hustle
➡️ A psychological method to graduate from perfectionism and build a habit in 66 days
➡️ How to remove the 3 traps of assumptions that turn your 40s experience into a weapon

👍 Benefits of reading
✅ Learn the actual data that the average monthly income from side hustles for people in their 40s is 1.9 times the all-generation average
✅ Learn the 5 concrete steps to achieve an hourly wage of 2,000 yen through VBA/macro development
✅ Master psychological techniques to prevent setbacks, such as self-compassion

📖 Recommended readers
🧍🏻 Office workers in their 40s-50s considering a side hustle
🧍🏻 People who have given up, thinking "it's too late now"
🧍🏻 People with Excel experience who want to increase their income

💡 In a nutshell:
It doesn't have to be perfect,
a practical guide to achieving a monthly income of 200,000 yen through small, consistent steps over 66 days

—A 66-day psychological method to graduate from perfectionism and change your life with an Excel side hustle—

Are you feeling like this right now?

On the morning commute train. Sighing while reading an article about side hustles on your smartphone.

Even when you see a headline like "Earn 200,000 yen a month with an Excel side hustle", there is a part of you that concludes, "That's just for young people, right?".

46 years old. Not young anymore. But there are still nearly 20 years until retirement. Can I pay for my children's tuition with my current salary? Will I have enough money for retirement? That anxiety continues to smolder deep in your chest.

"It's too late to learn anything new now"
"I can't beat young people at computer skills"
"It would be embarrassing if I failed"

Those voices are spinning around in your head.

But please, wait a moment.

The fact that someone who felt the same way as you is earning 100,000 yen a month 8 months later

Actually, the average monthly income of people who started a side hustle in their 40s is 96,564 yen. This is a surprising figure that is
about 1.9 times the all-generation average of 51,218 yen (from the 2024 Side Hustle Survey).

"But isn't that just for special people?"

No, that's not true.

Among those who are taking on Excel projects on Coconala, there is a case where a 50-year-old who was bad with computers achieved a monthly income of 100,000 yen in 8 months. For the first 3 months, the income was zero. In the 4th month, it was finally 1,000 yen. But they didn't give up.

Because they understood that "it doesn't have to be perfect".

Even if it's 60% complete, put it out into the world first.
Even if you fail, it's a seed for growth.
Even a small step forward changes the scenery.

"It's too late now" is an illusion created by your brain

According to research by psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck, our brains have two mindsets.

Fixed Mindset: The belief that "ability is determined at birth."
Growth Mindset: The belief that "ability can be improved through effort and experience."

If you think "It's impossible for me at 46," you are simply trapped in a fixed mindset.

But think about it.

You must have accumulated countless experiences in your work until now. Things you couldn't do as a new employee are now things you do as a matter of course. That is proof that you have continued to grow.

In fact, the truth shown by the data is this:

• Over 50% of people in their 40s who have a side job spend more than 2 hours a day on it

• There are 531,000 job openings related to Excel, about 8 times more than for Python (67,000)

• For VBA development projects, a monthly income of 200,000 yen is realistic at 2,000 yen per hour for 100 hours a month

In other words, age is irrelevant. There are strengths you have precisely because you are in your 40s.

The overwhelming strengths of being in your 40s that you haven't noticed

You have your own unique weapons that people in their 20s and 30s do not have.

Industry knowledge and business understanding 15 to 20 years of accumulated industry experience. Knowing what kind of data is needed in what situation and what kind of analysis is required. Understanding that intuitively is a strength the younger generation lacks.

The invisible asset of reliability The age of "46" gives clients a sense of security. The trust that "this person can be relied upon." That is your advantage that you have from the start, even without a track record.

Patience and perseverance
You may not have the explosive power you had when you were young. But the ability to steadily accumulate results and the ability to continue even if you don't see immediate results—that is the strongest skill cultivated by life experience.

Are you looking for "reasons not to do it" even at this very moment?

Having read this far, aren't you thinking this somewhere in your heart?

("But I don't have the time") ("
What if my company finds out") ("
My family might oppose it")

I understand. I understand that feeling painfully well.

But please, stop for a moment and think.

Three "traps of assumption" are robbing you of your potential

Trap 1: The "If I can't do it perfectly, I won't start" syndrome

Data shows that 73% of Japanese people have a "strong tendency toward perfectionism." Especially for those in their 40s and older, this is a generation raised with the value that "you must do things properly."

But do you know what people who succeed in Excel side hustles have in common?

Their first project was only 2,000 yen.
For the first three months, their hourly rate was less than 200 yen.
But they started there, and now they are earning over 200,000 yen a month.

Rather than being unable to move because you seek perfection, move forward even with 60% completion.
That is the shortest route to success.

Trap 2: Underestimating yourself by thinking "I can't beat young people"

It is true that those in their 20s are digital natives.
But there is something they lack.

• Problem-solving skills based on practical experience

• Ability to negotiate with clients

• Deep understanding of business workflows

• Sense of responsibility to meet deadlines

These are skills you possess as a matter of course.
And this is exactly what clients are truly looking for.

Trap 3: The wall of vanity that says "It's embarrassing if I fail"

According to prospect theory (Nobel Prize winner Dr. Kahneman), people feel the "pain of loss" more than twice as strongly as the "joy of gain".

Therefore, to avoid the loss of "failing and being embarrassed," you give up the gain of "succeeding and earning income."

But think about it.

Who would care that you started a side hustle? Who would remember that you failed on your first project?

Everyone is busy with their own lives. No one is going to laugh at your challenge.
In fact, there are likely more people who would think, "That's amazing, maybe I should try it too."

A monthly income of 200,000 yen is not a pipe dream, but a scientifically proven reality

Let me show you some concrete numbers here.

Profitability data for Excel side hustles (latest as of 2025)

• VBA/Macro development: Average hourly wage of 2,000 yen

• 200,000 yen monthly income working 100 hours a month (25 hours/week = 3 hours on weekdays, 5 hours on weekends)

• Required learning period: 6-12 months (1-2 hours of study per day)

"But VBA sounds so difficult..."

Wait a minute. The basics of VBA can actually be mastered in 3 months. You can learn enough of the basics just from free YouTube videos.

Moreover, in 2025, we live in an era where ChatGPT automatically generates VBA code. All you have to do is articulate "what you want to do." Detailed programming knowledge is no longer essential.

Why "66 days"? The law of success taught by the psychology of habit formation

According to a 2009 study by University College London, the time it takes for a new habit to become established is 66 days on average.

You may have heard the theory that "it takes 21 days to form a habit," but that is an urban legend with no scientific basis.

For 66 days, touch Excel even for just 30 minutes a day.
For 66 days, accumulate small successful experiences.
After 66 days, you will be a different person.

Furthermore, habituation is possible even if you only do it 4 times a week.
You don't have to do it perfectly every single day.

[True Story] The stories of 3 people who changed their lives with an Excel side hustle

Case 1: Mr. K, a 52-year-old salesperson

Previous job: 20 years in manufacturer sales
Skills at start: Excel basic operations only
Current: 180,000 yen monthly income (14 months since starting)

"My first project was a sales summary for 3,000 yen. It took me 10 hours to make. That's 300 yen an hour (laughs). But that experience gave me confidence. Now I can do the same task in 30 minutes."

Case 2: Ms. M, a 48-year-old office worker

Previous job: 15 years in accounting/clerical work Skills at start: Can use functions a little Current: 250,000 yen monthly income (18 months since starting)

"I started because I was worried about my child's cram school fees. For the first six months, I only made about 10,000 yen a month. But after I learned VBA, the requests suddenly increased. Now there are months where I earn more than my main job."

Case Study 3: Mr. T, a 45-year-old former engineer

Previous job: Systems Engineer (retired 10 years ago) Starting skills: Programming experience (10-year gap) Current: Monthly income over 500,000 yen (2 years since starting)

"I thought I was finished as an engineer after a 10-year gap. But my experience is useful for Excel VBA. Now, I have contracts with multiple companies as an independent contractor."

How to release the "three psychological brakes" inside you

Brake 1: Status Quo Bias - Fear of change

The human brain is programmed to perceive change as "dangerous."
This is a survival instinct from primitive times.
However, in the modern age,not changing is the greater risk.

Solution: Micro-step strategy

• Today: Watch one Excel video on YouTube (10 minutes)

• Tomorrow: Open Excel and try one function (5 minutes)

• One week later: Create a simple household account book (30 minutes)

Start with steps so small that your brain doesn't feel "danger."
This is the secret to success.

Brake 2: Imposter Syndrome - Underestimating yourself

"I don't have that kind of value," "I was just lucky."
Imposter syndrome is something 70% of successful people feel.
This tendency is particularly strong in Japan because of the culture that values humility as a virtue.

Solution: Create a "What I Accomplished" list

Every night before going to bed, write down three things you accomplished today.
It doesn't matter how small they are.

• Read one page of an Excel book

• Understood the meaning of the VLOOKUP function

• Registered on CrowdWorks

One month later, look back at that list.
You will surely notice that you have grown.

Brake 3: Lack of social proof - "No one around me is doing it"

67% of the Japanese behavioral principle is based on social proof, which is 'because everyone else is doing it.' However, side hustles are not yet something 'everyone' is doing. That is why you feel anxious.

Solution: Join an online community

• Follow '#ExcelSideHustle' on X (formerly Twitter)

• Join a side hustle group on Facebook

• Interact with other sellers on Coconala

The presence of peers walking the same path will give you the push you need.

5 Practical Steps: The Path to 200,000 Yen Monthly Income Starting Today

Step 1: Prepare your environment (Week 1)

Why is the environment important?

According to research from Stanford University, 50% of behavioral change is due to environmental factors. Instead of relying on willpower, change your environment to automatically change your behavior.

Specific actions:

• Place an Excel shortcut on your computer desktop

• Install an Excel learning app on your smartphone

• Register with three crowdsourcing sites (CrowdWorks, Lancers, Coconala)

• Block out study time on your calendar (10:00 PM - 10:30 PM daily)

• Declare to your family, 'I am starting to study Excel'

'Environmental design' is the key to success.

Step 2: Acquire basic skills (Weeks 2-4)

Why are the basics important?

Just like a building, you cannot build high without a solid foundation.
However, a perfect foundation is not necessary. Once you understand 60%, move on to the next step.

Specific action:

• Watch 1 video per day (10-15 minutes each) on the "Useful" YouTube channel

• Master the 5 major functions (SUM, AVERAGE, IF, VLOOKUP, COUNTIF)

• Memorize 10 shortcut keys

• Create a simple household account book or sales ledger

• Save what you created as a portfolio

"Done is better than perfect" is the key.

Step 3: Earn your first 1 yen (Weeks 5-8)

Why is the first 1 yen important?

The psychological theory of "accumulating small successes." The moment you earn your first 1 yen,
dopamine is released in your brain, sparking the motivation to "do more."

Specific action:

• Create a profile (photo required, no track record needed)

• Upload 3 sample works

• Apply to 20 jobs tagged "Beginners welcome" or "Easy"

• Create a template for your proposal (customize and reuse)

• Ignore the unit price at first (2,000 yen is fine)

"Gaining experience" is the key.

Step 4: Start multiplying your skills (Weeks 9-12)

Why is multiplication effective?

Competition is fierce with a single skill. However,
if you combine two skills, your competition drops to one-tenth.

Concrete actions:

• Start basic VBA learning (30 minutes a day)

• Practice code generation with ChatGPT

• Consider industry specialization (leverage experience from your previous job)

• Learn Power Automate integration

• Try Python in Excel

The key is to find the "XX" in "Excel x XX".

Step 5: Achieving stable income through systematization (from the 3rd month onwards)

Why is systematization necessary?

Repeating one-off projects will lead to burnout. By increasing
recurring contracts and repeat clients, you can reduce sales time and focus on the work.

Concrete actions:

• Propose "regular maintenance" upon delivery

• Create a monthly support plan

• Make additional proposals to past clients

• Establish a referral system (e.g., 10% referral fee)

• Template your work to increase efficiency

The key is to create "stock-type income".

Two psychological techniques to prevent setbacks

Technique 1: Self-compassion

A concept proposed by Associate Professor Kristin Neff of the University of Texas. The paradoxical truth that
being kind to yourself improves performance.

Practical method:

When you fail, please say this to yourself.

"You did a great job trying. This is also part of your growth."

If your best friend made the same mistake, what would you say to them?
Say those same words to yourself.

Research shows that people who practice self-compassion have a 31% higher goal achievement rate than those who are self-critical.

Technique 2: Implementation Intention

A method of deciding actions in advance using the format "If X happens, then I will do Y."
Research from New York University has proven that this increases goal achievement rates by 2 to 3 times.

Application example for Excel side hustles:

• If I wake up in the morning, I will watch one Excel video on my smartphone

• If it becomes my lunch break, I will check for jobs on Coconala

• If it becomes 9:00 PM, I will open my computer and launch Excel

• If it is Saturday morning, I will work on my side hustle for 2 hours

• If I am rejected for a job, I will tell myself "there will be a next time"

Just by creating five of these "if-then" statements and writing them down on paper to post somewhere, your actions will become automated.

Frequently Asked Questions and Psychological Answers

Q1: "Can I really do this even at 46?"

A: The data proves it.

The average monthly income from side hustles for people in their 40s is 96,564 yen, the highest among all generations.
Furthermore, there are many cases of people who started an Excel side hustle after age 50 and succeeded.
Age is not an excuse; in fact, it becomes a weapon.

Q2: "VBA seems difficult..."

A: You can master the basics in 3 months.

Moreover, in 2025, we live in an era where ChatGPT writes code for you.
You just need to explain what you want to do in Japanese.
There is no need to memorize the fine details of programming syntax.

Q3: "I'm worried my company will find out."

A: It's fine if you take the appropriate measures.

Set your resident tax to "ordinary collection" when filing your tax return.
Classify your side job as miscellaneous income or business income. If you follow these two rules, no notification will be sent to your company. If you are worried, consult a tax accountant (consultation fee is around 5,000 yen).

Q4: "My family will probably oppose it."

A: Let's share small successes.

Once you earn your first 1,000 yen, buy a cake for your family and tell them, "This is money I earned from my side job." By showing concrete results, they will start to support you.

Q5: "I'm worried about finding the time."

A: Spare time is enough.

Watch YouTube videos during your commute, check for projects during your lunch break, and work for 30 minutes at night.
Even just doing this can earn you 50,000 yen a month.
There is data showing that over 50% of people in their 40s with side jobs secure at least 2 hours a day.

The Arrival of the Excel × AI Era: Future Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

The Impact of Microsoft Copilot for Excel

In 2025, the era where AI is fully integrated into Excel has arrived.

Agent Mode (2025 New Feature):

• Automatically execute complex tasks using natural language

• Just say, "Analyze this sales data and make a forecast for next month"

• Automatic generation and optimization of VBA code

Is this a threat? No, it is an opportunity.

An era where those who make AI their ally will win

Simple data entry tasks will certainly be replaced by AI. However,

• People who can evaluate and correct AI output

• People who can give appropriate instructions to AI

• People who can combine AI and human judgment

The demand for such talent is surging.
And this is exactly thespecialty of experienced people in their 40s.

The future shown by data

• Excel job openings: 531,000 (8 times the 67,000 for Python in 2025)

• Data talent shortage: 790,000 person shortage projected by 2030

• Salary for AI-utilizing talent: 40% higher than average

In other words,Excel × AI × Your experience = The strongest combination.

This week's action plan: Change your life in the first 7 days

Monday: Day of determination (Time required: 30 minutes)

• Bookmark this article

• Write "Start an Excel side hustle" on paper

• Declare it to one family member or friend

• Block out 30 minutes of study time every day on your calendar

Tuesday: Day of registration (Time required: 45 minutes)

• Register on CrowdWorks

• Register on Lancers

• Register on Coconala

• Take a profile photo

Wednesday: Start learning (Time required: 30 minutes)

• Subscribe to the "Useful" YouTube channel

• Watch 2 videos on basic operations

• Open Excel and try the operations yourself

Thursday: Master functions (Time required: 30 minutes)

• Try using the SUM function

• Try using the IF function

• Create one simple table

Friday: Create a portfolio (Time required: 45 minutes)

• Create a household account book template

• Create a sample sales management table

• Take screenshots

Saturday: Complete your profile (Time required: 60 minutes)

• Fill out your profile on 3 sites

• Upload sample work

• Write a self-promotion statement (it's easy if you use a template)

Sunday: First application (Time required: 90 minutes)

• Pick up 10 "Beginners Welcome" projects

• Create a proposal template

• Try applying to 5 projects

In just one week, you will join the ranks of "Excel side-hustle practitioners."

Imagine yourself 66 days from now.

The morning of the 66th day.

You check your smartphone notifications and see a message from Coconala saying, "Payment has been deposited." The amount is 15,000 yen. It's still a small amount, but it is definitely growing.

You receive a warm message from a client saying, "Thank you so much! I'd like to work with you again next time."

When you tell your family, "I earned 30,000 yen this month," they smile and say, "That's amazing!"

100,000 yen a month in one year. 200,000 yen a month in two years.

It all starts with a small step today.

Move forward with self-compassion.

Finally, I would like to share a quote from psychologist Kristin Neff.

"You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be human."

You are 46. But it is not "too late"; it is "the perfect timing."

With your wealth of experience, the trust you have cultivated, and above all, your strong desire to change, you will surely find a way forward.

Things you can do today:

• Watch one Excel video on YouTube

• Take a look at the CrowdWorks website

• Say out loud, "Maybe I can do this too"

That is enough.

Tomorrow, you will be a little further ahead than you are today.
In one week, you will be even further ahead.
In 66 days, it will be a habit.
In one year, you will be earning over 100,000 yen a month.

There is no need to rush.
There is no need to be perfect either.
Just start small and keep going.

Peers in their 40s and 50s who struggled just like you and took that same first step are moving forward at this very moment.

Why don't you join them?

I am looking forward to seeing where you are 66 days from now.

Postscript: The scientific truth that "it is never too late"

According to the latest 2024 research from the University of South Australia, it has been found that the time required to form a habit does not change with age. In other words, whether you are 46 or 26, the time it takes to build a habit is the same.

In fact, there is data suggesting that people in their 40s and older have a higher success rate in habit formation because their sense of purpose is clearer.

It is not too late to start now. In fact, now might be the perfect time.

The path to a monthly income of 200,000 yen begins with your decision today.

Come on, let's get started together.

[Reference Data]

• Average monthly side income for those in their 40s: 96,564 yen (2024 Side Job Survey)

• Number of Excel job openings: 531,000 (as of October 2025)

• Habit formation period: 66 days on average (2009 University College London study)

• Projected shortage of data talent: 790,000 by 2030 (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)

• VBA basic mastery period: 3-6 months, 150-250 hours