This is going to be my journal on trying to master some skills in picking up women and general social confidence.

I'm getting excited about actually approaching women after seeing some youtube videos then reading double your dating ebook. I've been through some of AFC Daniel's journal. Inspirational stuff.

My first goal is to get comfortable approaching, well, anyone really. I've just come out of an 11 year relationship. I work from home and moved to a new area so I don't socialize all that much and kinda feel a bit socially retarded. It's a harsh way to look at it, but that's what I'm trying to fix.

Right now I have anxiety just approaching regular strangers unless there's a reason to chat.

Self confidence is down. Don't know what to say when approaching. And balding f@#$ing sucks, it plays on your mind. Not much I can do about that other than sort that crap out in my head.

It's not all bad. My lifestyle's good, don't have to go to work, business runs itself. I'm fit and girls seem to like a six pack. I've got an adventurous life of paragliding, kiteboarding, overseas travel, mountain biking, bmx, so I guess that's a positive too.

I'm ready to move on.

I'm going through Magic Bullets by Savoy, great book gives a good overview. Checking out some double your dating advanced seminar that a friend has. I'm trying to exercises from Neil Strauss's challenge in Rules of the game.

First challenge is to approach 5 people and start a conversation. It's taken me 3 days to do that. Damn it's terrible.

What I could say bubbles up in my mind then I get anxious and say nothing. So this is my first hurdle.

Working from home has it's disadvantages socially. But the tradeoff of not having to slave away for someone else kicks arse.

I'm going to try approach 5 people in one day, even if it's just to ask the time. Humble beginnings I hope.

The last 3 days I've approached 2 people each day. It's funny, I'm not that anxious when chatting. Just anxious thinking about approaching people.

I have no problem approaching people if I specifically want something. Eg. Famous football player was at the gym and I asked about the weights with no fears at all. But walking up to people in the street and asking something simple like the time does it.

I've been looking into people's eyes when talking and that's not an issue at all. It's kind of nice to do.

I'll keep plugging away until I approach 5 people in one day before doing the next exercise.