Hey guys. I recently read Models by Mark Manson. His advice to overcoming approach anxiety is to slowly build up your interactions with women. So the first week you just ask for the time or something, the second week you ask for the time and then how their day is going. You slowly build it up to the point where you just get straight to the point that you thought they were attractive etc.

I really want to try this out but what are good ways to casually say something to them? He suggests asking for the time, but I have a phone with me. Asking for directions in a place I am well familiar with seems odd. I smoke so I thought maybe asking for a fire would be a good start. Any other suggestions?