So I'm working on Rules of the Game right now and I've done the approach and routines part. The problem is I've realized that I can't always lock in to my set. So I'll do my opener but I can't move into my routine/story/DHV because the set isn't interested. I even went right into a routine two days ago without locking in and got blown out real quick. feelsbadman. How to deal with this? What are some common mistakes that people make?

As cliché as it sounds: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

Memorize a few openers and if certain ones work keep them, search around this site for more openers, especially opinion openers. Have a couple ready for each set. I find it really only takes one or two opinion openers to get locked in. I had the same problem when I first started, but to avoid getting blown out of a set I figured out that I had to balance my look, body language (confident), tone of voice (confident, FUN!) and delivery (also a good social circle and energy helps) - and then it all started to work. The key to getting locked in, I think, is confidence and balance. Definitely not too little and not too much. Congruency with your material and who you are is key.

Good Luck

Love-Bird

_________________
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead - True Story.

Lovebird

I've heard this term "congruence" getting thrown around a lot. I'm not quite sure what it means though. Quick premier?

It means that what you say and what you do are the same. For instance, if you tell a girl, "I can fark your brains out all night long." and then you wind up a 2 minute man, that is being incongruent. Not congruent. If you tell her, we are going to have so much fun together, I know the best place for bla bla bla. And then she really has a fantastic time with you, you are showing congruence. If you want her to think you are a really interesting/cool guy, you must be interesting/cool. Or to put it another way, your inner game and outer game must be in alignment.

or on a basic level with regards to opening and running a set, congruence can just be conveying confidence and alpha male characteristics e.g posture, speaking clearly and not too fast, eye contact and other comfortable body language when talking to any and every set. In short, congruence can also be something you don't normally do, but want to convey to achieve your goal in field.

_________________
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead - True Story.

Lovebird

So I was in-field yesterday and I, for the first time, realized that I get nervous after the approach (I have no problem approaching), and my eyelids start jittering like crazy. I don't know if the girls could tell or not, I don't think they did, but I just got so psyched out and lost it and excused myself. This happened multiple times. Is this incongruence? I get nervous because in the back of my mind I don't really care about what they have to say, I'm just trying to proceed with the routine, and it just feels really weird. Anyone else have had similar problems?

Ya, this is the beginer stuf. Just try to have fun and don't think to much at stuff you have to say. If you have tons of stuf memorized, you have to just pick a rutine and see if it works, if it does keep that rutine and try another, do that till you have some rutines that works for you. Than have fun man, if you don't they will notice that.
Pick that rutines that fits you. The one with wich you are cool doing them. Like for me i can't do the bad guy rutines and when i try them they are not in my personality and seems akwords when i do them. Pick the rutines and make them fits you, change them, try them, try and try. Good luck!