1. Build your social competence - speak well, physically calm your body, and be well-groomed and presentable.
  2. In all things that don’t involve life or death, challenge yourself, and risk failure. This is how you grow and evolve as a person.
  3. Stop making value judgments about yourself and your abilities, and stop theorizing about what you can and can’t do. You might surprise yourself.
  4. Have a coach, mentor, or someone you really trust to keep you grounded. They will help keep you on course, and keep you accountable to yourself.
  5. Don’t make your whole life about any ONE thing – especially dating. Living a balanced life is the best way to keep your life from falling apart like a card castle when something goes wrong.

You're gonna have to read the whole thing at Table Theory to completely get what I mean by these points, but this article has been a long time coming. Really simple stuff, but all things that have helped me personally. Hope it helps you, too!

As always, I appreciate your feedback, even if I don't agree with it, and even if you're just writing to call me a dickhole.

UPDATE

I upvoted everyone who called me a dickhole.