Hey guys, I'm new to the PUA community. I was wondering if anyone could provide me suggestions to overcome approach anxiety. I have passed up many sets because of this and I just can't seem to get over it. I have heard of various newbie drills but have never systematically seen one written down. Can someone help?

So many ways to tackle this one but I'm into physical and tangible methods of solving intangible, emotional problems.

Here are some analogies:

There's a depressed guy. What's the best way to make him happy? Can you tell him over and over to be happy?

Another: There's a boxer going up against a Golden Gloves champ in a month. He's scared shitless because he's out of shape. What do you tell him? Don't be scared! Don't be scared!????

I don't understand why so many people here recommend similar strategies. "Hey, hop into the fire!" "Just jump into the water!" "Yeah, stick your hand in the lion's cage!" This is a recipe for disaster.

When are you the most nervous about an exam? . . . Yeah, it's when you're NOT PREPARED. So instead of focusing on your emotions which can just be a vicious cycle. Work on your game. The boxer becomes less nervous as he gets back into shape in camp. Take out a note book. Write up canned openers, routines, negs, kino, jokes, etc . . . figure out why some of those cans work. Figure out why most of it is all bullshit. Write up your own material. Practice by yourself. Practice with your friends. Practice on complete strangers in different towns that you could care less about. Practice in the mall where its their job to ask if you need anything.

Take it in bits and pieces. The boxer doesn't show up day 1 of training camp to run his whole routine and nor should you.

When you first practice on the field, the goal is to open. Period. Do NOT think about #'s, kisses, sex, etc. You want to open a set, communicate, and leave on a great happy note. Do this over and over and over and over and over and over and . . . well, you get the point. Next, you'll want to think about creating some rapport. Then just continue work your way through your note book.

One more thing. I have no idea why so many kids here are into the negs. What the hell? I've read so many terrible, insulting, and mean spirited ideas of "negs" on this forum, I can't help but thinking that many posters here suffer some anger issues. Forget the negs for now. Just keep it in the back of your mind. After some encounters, you'll realize, "Ahhh . . . shoot, a neg probably would have worked just then . . ." Until then, go out and make friends and rely on your positive energy.