Contributed by: kellyseal on Sunday, March 24 2013 @ 09:45 am
Last modified on
Does the idea of approaching a beautiful woman in a bar make your heart race? Do you tend to freeze up if the hot guy in line next to you at Starbucks strikes up a conversation? If you're more the shy type when it comes to talking to total strangers, you're not alone. Unfortunately, this shyness doesn't help when it comes to your love life.
Meeting people for the first time requires a confident approach and a little flirtation. You can't take yourself too seriously or you'll get stuck on what to say or do.
Flirting comes naturally to some people, but it can be terrifying to others. The thing about effective flirting however, is that it is a learned skill. With some practice and courage, anyone can become an expert - or at least be able to approach someone attractive with confidence.
The first step in acquiring this skill is to practice. You might fail many times, but the trick is to learn what went wrong and try to do it better the next time. Following are some steps to take in practicing your flirting skills:
Gather your support system. If you need a friend to accompany you and build your confidence, then do it! If you prefer to hire a professional matchmaker who can take you out and show you what to do, then don't hesitate. The key is starting with the appropriate mindset and having a good support system in place to help you along.
Make the first move. Nothing will happen if you don't put your fears aside and have a little courage. Remember to think of flirting as practice for dating. You're not looking for the love of your life, you're improving your skills. The more you gather your courage and approach new people, the less the experience will intimidate you and the better you'll be at it.
Don't fear rejection. Of course when it comes to love and attraction, not everyone clicks. So don't take it to heart if someone isn't into you. Just politely excuse yourself and move on to someone else. There's no point in being embarrassed. Rejection happens to all daters, male and female alike, so don't take it personally.
Don't over-think what you're going to say. You've gotten past the first approach and have a woman's attention, but now you don't know how to carry the conversation. Instead of racking your brain or panicking about what to say next, remember - this is just practice. Keeping the exchange light and fun involves you not overthinking everything. If you say something you regret, just make a joke about it and move on. Or try again with the next person you meet. Take the pressure off.
Practice makes perfect. The old adage is true. The more you practice your flirting skills, the better you'll become. So don't sweat it.