It's true. All you need are working legs and voicebox to do ths task. Don't try to argue with the thoughts in your head just notice them and go ahead anyway. It's normal to get these thoughts.

Ok, i couldnt wait till the weekend so i decided i was going to do it at some point today (either after my doctors appointment while i had a bit of a scive at work so i popped into a pub to see if there was anyone there, or at dinner when i went out for a coffee). Unfortunately i couldnt/didnt do anything. I didnt really see anyone i wanted to approach (but thats just making excuses) i knew that wasnt the spirit of the exercise but all the while i just ended up doing nothing really. attempting a few lame smiles at folk who werent looking.
I could really do with getting a handle on this cause i know this "pre AA" issue will get to me. I havent even got to the AA stage yet. I really dont know how many more times i can beat myself up for not doing anything at all. I drive home in the car and get so fucking psyked up you would be able to feel the energy but then put it were it counts and im a fucking ghost. If i dont get it sorted no-one is going to give a shit that i cant get things right because the universe has no sympathy for people like me. I dont want sympathy, i dont want people to magically fix my problems by setting me up with dates that go no-where. I want to make this happen for myself. I have to take action. But i dont.
Anyone got any hints as to how to shut my god damn head up (without excessive alcohol). I could do with something reasonable to come after "hi". Because my mind is instantly thinking 'what happens when you get a hi back, you just stand there like a twat or what? Whats your purpose for saying hi? Because after youve said it there going to want to know what the fuck you have just gone over to them for' and this is just one of the many things that stops me from doing anything. I dont know why i need an excuse i just know i wont do it without one.

Sorry to double post on this but i was wondering about trying something a bit more physical. Encouragment isnt going to work on me "Come on buddy you can do it!!", nor will berating me "Come on you faggot, fucking do it!!". I would really like to go out with someone and if they could point at people and just say "right go up, say hi, if you get a hi back say XXXXXX then walk away or engage in conversation." Then give me a fucking hard dig in the arm if i wont. I need some crutches just to get me in the groove but once ive done enough im sure ill be able to start the next step.

Again pretty harsh but fair words i guess. Its good to know people have felt like that themselves before but then i already knew that. Ive met plenty of the same and they either did it or they didnt. I take it this is what you did. Just said fuck it and started approaching random people until it became second nature or you didnt give a second thought to doing it anymore?

What Kowalski Said!!!!

Yeah asking for directions or the time is perfect! That is easier than saying Hi.

You ask a question > they answer it > you say thanks > move on!

Whats the worst thats going to happen? Your not going to die!!!

Dont think anyones every said hello and then just died!

Thanks Kowalski, and i promise i wont come back till i've said hello to a few people. If im honest though when it has purpose its easier. Asking 10 people for the time should be fine. I will do it (with the intention of doing more) and post back here.

Word. I spent so long doing random re-frames, voice tonality, DVDs, visualising, meditating and all that for so long until I started approaching.

The funny thing is when I started approaching, I dropped all that shit, still had the same frames, worries, woes and issues but did it anyway. Then after a while you're like "Yeah approaching is funny", then you get stuck in 'cba land' which is when its more of a mental-laziness and excuses from an exertion of energy than fear of being denied as such.

It takes a long time fella, get out there and doooooooooooooooooo it. Just do it.

A side tangent would be I used to focus loads of Eye Contact, posture, voice, inner game etc when i was too afraid to approach thinking it would build my confidence to approach BUT after I started approaching I dropped all that shit, like I didnt give a fuck about EC or Voice or lines, just getting out there and doing it!

The books, DVD's, etc, give a lot of useful info and insights and can get you fired up to get out there and try. They also help in making sense of what happened after the event. But the one thing they can't give you is the actual experience, which is the best and quickest teacher.

Neil Strauss compared it to surfing which is a good analogy (though I've never surfed I can imagine 'how to' books don't help much with that!)

While it may get you fired up, it's worth pointing out that until you have direct experience of doing it you have no idea whether an insight or some information is useful or not. The critical part of being useful is being able to use something effectively. Not to put a damper on things, but sooner or later you'll probably consider it all to be mental clutter and a waste of time.