Starting now
I spoke to a friend who wants to play and sing for an audience, but he’s hesitant. He feels intimidated by the “local guys in their sixties” who are really great players.
Guessing at my friend’s age, he has about 25 years to develop his skills. Then he can be one of those local guys in his sixties who’s a really great player.
Since he hasn’t developed those skills yet, the best thing for him to do is to start now.