How do you guys do it?

How do you manage to work up the courage to talk to someone you're interested in? I can never find the courage, I'm a coward, afraid of rejection, afraid of talking to new people. Nothing i try works. I'm fine with people who come talk to me first or people I know. Men intimidate me, people intimidate me. therapy doesn't work, stupid mantras don't work. I'm just the awkward person. I'm trapped, maybe that's the word. what do you do? how do you overcome?