GAME #4 - Reframe approach anxiety

 Pushing Through
 by Gypsy
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 Many of us have experienced approach anxiety in the field.
 For most of us it sets in when we begin to think about
 approaching beautiful women in social situations, and it's
 generally strongest, and most inhibiting, when attempting
 the cold approach.
 
 Some try alcohol as a social lubrication to diminish their
 anxiety, but this is a double-edged sword because it can
 easily throw your mental social calibration off kilter.
 
 There are better ways. My personal cure was, first and
 foremost, the desire to change; and secondly, to reprogram
 my conditioned responses to the feelings associated with 
 anxiety.
 
 First, recognize all of the signs of your own approach
 anxiety. Know what it is, when it sets in, and what it
 feels like. You must understand the nuances it produces in
 your mind and body. For me, the most powerful aspect of my
 approach anxiety was my negative internal dialogue.
 
 Next, begin to counter it by focusing on the outcomes of
 your potential actions or non-actions. When I would catch
 myself beginning my negative internal dialogue, I would 
 stop and immediately begin a series of prepared mental 
 questions and answers that I designed to immediately change 
 my focus and focus my energy towards achieving the results 
 I want in my life.
 
 Below is an actual list of questions I would ask myself,
 as well as specific answers that proved to be very
 effective for me to conquer my approach anxiety:
 
 Question: "Why am I out tonight?"
 
 Answer: "To become better at meeting women."
 
 Question: "How can I become better at meeting women?"
 
 Answer: "I must approach them."
 
 Question: "If I do approach and gain valuable practice
 in the social arts how will I feel?"
 
 Answer: "I will feel great because I achieved my goal."
 
 Question: "If I do not approach how will I feel?"
 
 Answer: "I will feel horrible and see this night as a
 worthless and awkward experience."
 
 Question: "How long will I think about this negative
 experience and how will I feel every time I conjure it
 into my mind?"
 
 Answer: "I will think about it until I go out again,
 probably a week, and I will feel horrible."
 
 Question: "Do I want to feel horrible for a week or do I
 want to feel like a rock-star right now?"
 
 Answer: "I want to feel like a rock-star, let's do this!"
 
 Then, to make all of the above worthwhile, you must take
 action. Use the strong negative feeling of your approach
 anxiety to propel you into a set. Turn your fear into your
 power and you cannot be stopped.