You'll first want to prepare yourself mentally to increase your social life and to take new risks. Talk to those you're close to about your plans to begin dating. They can be a great source of information and support, and may even know someone you might like to meet. These friends will also be a great resource for finding out where to go to meet people locally, or on the Internet. Don't be embarassed to pick their brains on matters you're not yet caught up on. This will make it less intimidating.
To give yourself a boost, take on a positive attitude, and catch yourself whenever you start feeling negative. In the early stages refrain from being overly self-critical. Realize that everybody comes with a little baggage, mental scars, or other issues that make us all a little shaky about ourselves on occasion.
On a first date it's a good idea to plan on meeting in a public place. This allows both parties to feel more comfortable as personal safety is removed as an obstacle.
If the date goes well take the time to get to know each other gradually over time. There really is no rush. At this point you've been down this road before so you know what you want and don't want in a person and relationship. Now is the time to discover whether or not these characteristics are present.
A word of caution here, do not be in a hurry to introduce whom ever you're dating to your family. Doing this only adds unnecessary pressure to your growing relationship. When the time is right to exchange family greetings it will feel like a natural part of the process.
By taking time to get to know potential partners, and allowing yourself to become comfortable with each other before you know it you will have lost all of those initial dating jitters.