1. Lose the baggage

There is very little point in dating if you are still hung up over your previous relationship. Before you can move on with your life, you have to come to terms and deal with what has gone on previously otherwise you risk bringing negativity into any new relationships that you may form.

2. Feel good about yourself

Self esteem often takes a battering following a break-up of a previous relationship or the loss of a partner and most people emerge out of the other end not feeling too great about themselves. Low self esteem usually comes hand in hand with reduced confidence and this in turn affects how you interact with and how you are perceived by others. Heal yourself emotionally by renewing your friend circle, setting yourself new challenges and trying different things.

3. Prime yourself physically

Looking your best when setting out to meet someone new is important because it will boost your self confidence. That doesn’t mean looking like a supermodel, but if you need to lose a pound or two to make you feel more comfortable in your clothes, then so be it; the effort will be worth it in all walks of your life, not just dating.

4. Know what your goals are

Are you dating in the hope of meeting your soul mate and entering into another long term relationship with them, or do you simply just want to meet new people and have fun? Being clear about what you ultimately hope to achieve from the whole dating experience leaves you better able to plan and structure dates to fulfil your aims.

5. Get a life

You can’t just sit at home expecting a date to just present itself to you on a plate; unless you happen to be extraordinarily lucky, it just isn’t going to happen that way. Instead make an effort to go out with friends, pursue your hobbies or even take up evening classes. Not only will this help you to relax socially and broaden your horizons but you will meet more people and increase your chances of getting a date.

1. Cook her a meal

There is nothing more attractive to a woman than a man who can cook and many women will positively welcome the chance to be able to get a good look at where you live. Learn three simple recipes for a starter, main course and dessert and practice them on your friends before you set yourself loose on her. Dress the table with fresh flowers and crisp linen and get a good bottle of wine from a discount warehouse to add the extra wow-factor. If you live in an absolute hovel or have unruly flat-mates, you may need to be a bit more inventive so consider a picnic in a picturesque location.

2. Set up a treasure hunt for her

This is best done in a place that you know well, your home, your garden or possibly a local park. Place a trail of clues for her to follow; each clue leading her to the next location until she eventually ends up at the treasure which can be a small gift for her e.g. a scarf or a CD. If you do this in a public place, make sure you keep the clues well hidden, e.g. on the underside of a bench or beneath a rock and follow her as she goes so you can point her towards these hidden locations.

3. Rent a boat

Taking her for a lazy afternoon floating around on a lake in a cosy little boat is a romantic idea that will come in well under budget. Many parks with lakes hire out small boats for a few hours and taking a simple picnic along will complete the idyllic date. Make sure you pick the right season to do this in however, taking her out in gale-force winds and thunderstorms won’t earn you any brownie points.

4. Challenge her to a tennis match

Playing a sport together is a great way of getting to know each other. Furthermore, physical exercise releases feel-good hormones and makes people feel more relaxed. Most sports centres will offer activities at little or no charge and will also have a restaurant or canteen in which you can sit afterwards and enjoy a coffee or an inexpensive healthy lunch together.

Remember, a successful date is not dependent on how much money or effort you spend on it but more so on how much you can get your dating partner to relax and enjoy herself. So be imaginative and consider her hobbies and interests and you should get it right every time.

1. Choose a good location

The better your location, the less you will have to do to make everything go like clockwork. Try to pick a place where you are likely to feel comfortable and relaxed; a favourite restaurant or a picnic in a scenic park usually works well. For goodness sake, don’t have your date somewhere that your mates are likely to be hanging out in; this will inevitably result in disaster before you have even begun.

2. Decide what to wear in advance

If you don’t do this, you will most probably turn up looking as though you have just woken up or just finished a hard day at work. Your appearance is extremely important in the early stages of dating when a woman knows very little about you and it is a great compliment to your date if she feels as if you made an effort to look your best for her.

3. Do your homework on your date partner

The more you know about her, the less likely you are to make any embarrassing faux pas. At the very least, you should know what she works as, if she has been divorced or has any kids. If you are going to meet over a meal, taking the initiative to find out if she has any special dietary requirements is bound to earn you extra brownie points.

4. Brush up on your conversation skills

Try to avoid taking non-stop about yourself but similarly try not to bombard your date with endless prying questions about herself as this can feel a bit intimidating. The art of conversation is about striking a perfect balance and playing it by ear. If you are somewhat nervous, the tendency can be to talk her to death but it is actually better if you slow down and listen to her; ask questions at appropriate intervals to show her that your attention is on her.

Above all else, make a real effort to be yourself as you will find that this will, in turn, cause your date partner to feel more relaxed and open up to you more. Women notice small things and if you take the time to organize things efficiently, it will be greatly appreciated and your reward will hopefully lie in developing a meaningful new relationship.