Let me give you the BEST technique EVER for practicing your gambits.
Practice in the mirror.
Simple as that.
I first read about this technique in a book called “The Magic of Believing” by Claude Bristol.
This is what Bristol said. Winston Churchill practiced in the mirror before he ever made a speech of importance. Billy Sunday would practice in the mirror before his famous sermons. He’d bound across the room, gripping his table, lecturing his reflection in the mirror.
When I was a kid I used to do theater, and I noticed actors would ALWAYS rehearse in the mirror before getting on stage.
And when I was learning pickup, I found that whenever I practiced my gambits in the mirror before hitting the field my sets went AWESOME! It’s because I could see myself. When I didn’t practice in the mirror beforehand it was like I was going in blind. My success rate plummeted.
Pickup is like being on stage. So why not practice in the mirror first?
Now, why does this damn technique work so well?
This is my theory, at least.
First, you’re speaking with your subconscious.
The subconscious communicates best through pictures and symbols. So, by creating a positive picture of yourself in the mirror, you give your subconscious a clear and positive command to fulfill. Then when you’re actually in set, your subconscious will make those positive messages come true.
Bonus: others will pick up on the positive messages on a subconscious level, too. ATTRACTION!
Second, you’re increasing your self-awareness.
You see what you’re doing well and you see all your cricks. The more self-aware you are, i.e. the more you can SEE yourself, the stronger you’ll be. You won’t be thrown off kilter when people sling shit at you.
Third, you create good habits in solitude.
You’re like a musician practicing before he performs. Or a basketball player practicing his foul shots. You create good habits in peace. Then those habits will be automatic in the field. When you encounter the “dissonance” of the field, you can handle it. You’re equanimous.
I mean look at it. When you think about it, what is confidence really? You’re confident driving a car, right? That’s because you’ve done it a thousand times. It’s automatic. Same thing when you create good habits. You’re capable and at home.
Here’s how to do the technique.
1. Look at yourself in the mirror. See how fucking AWESOME you are. Notice the transfiguration take place.
2. Do the gambits on yourself. Rehearse your words and voice. Observe your body language.
3. Tweak your presentation… until you get something that makes even you feel “attraction.”
4. Apply the gambits in field. This will drill all your learning into your bones. It’s like the bar exam.
This is THE technique that made me succeed in my approaches. Hands down.
Try it out… right now. Pick a banter line, a DHV, and a qualifier. Practice them in that order until you see an approach that KICKS ASS. Then go out and practice that one stack in the field.
Your success rate will sky-rocket. Guaranteed. Half the battle of approach anxiety is psychological. Take care of all that before you step on the field, in the mirror. It’s some of the best time you can spend. You’ll become more self-aware, and you’ll be ready for anything.