Hey people.
I guess, similarly to a lot of guys experience, I recently finished reading The Game and now I am inspired to learn more and get the best out of myself. I worry though that, with the maze of information out there on this subject, I might find it hard to get good direction.
I would really appreciate some guidance on how best to begin studying and practising this art, and how I can realistically get better.

>where you're located
UK

>your age
20

>how you got into "the game"
My friend lent me "The Game". The feelings Style describes in the first third of that book are so familiar it's untrue.

>how long you've been studying and practicing pickup
I haven't actively started. I'm still living in fear.

>what your hobbies/passions are
I'm passionate about sport, mainly football (soccer). I'm interested in general self-improvement; be that physical, mental or whatever. I believe we only have one life to live and for me personally, I wanna make the most of my potential, no matter how naturally nervous and analytical I am.

>what your goals are
Not necessarily in this order:
Lose my virginity.
Feel the confidence that I can approach girls and have them eating out the palm of my hand.
Become extremely confident in the bedroom

>and whatever back story you wish to share with us.
I'm not a bad looking guy, I'm in good shape and on the surface I appear to be a pretty down to Earth, fairly confident, "normal" guy. Inside however, I've been slowly tearing myself up in frustration with myself. While all my good friends have all had long term relationships and lost their virgninity etc... I still feel incredibly uncomfortable around girls that I find attractive, and as I get older it only gets worse as I feel more and more abnormal. I've had 2 pretty bad cases of one-itis in my teens that really knocked me down and I haven't got back up again. I can get pretty close to a girl, but then not have the guts to take it to any kind of physical contact at all. I have a hyper active self conscious mind that is dominated by my fear of new situations outside my comfort zone. I hate my comfort zone. Any good experience I have had in my life have been from breaking through it. I know this, and yet on this subject, and in fact socialising in general, I cannot seem to get over my mental block.
Rant over (for now )