Resolutions have been set. Job priorities have been made. And with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s no wonder that single guys are starting to think about how to not only change their ways but also find lasting and exciting love in 2014. In fact, the first week of January marked the busiest week for online dating, and for many guys, online dating can be the perfect way to find that special someone, especially if they are shy or self-conscious in social situations.

Checking out dating websites to meet and connect with new and interesting kinds of women will allow you to practice the art of conversation and eliminate the nerves that come with physical attraction. Online, you can speak to women at your own pace and from the comfort of your home. Furthermore, getting to know a woman before actually meeting her in-person will give you a better understanding of who she is and what you two have in common. That’s not such a bad thing, right?

Many men think that meeting girls at a bar or club is the best way to connect with them, and although this may result in a fun night, it rarely leads to establishing a meaningful relationship with someone. If your goal in 2014 is to find the right woman, it might be a good idea to focus more on spending time developing an emotional connection with another person before delving into a physical connection. It’s crucial to take the time to listen to the woman you are talking to online so that when you finally meet each other in real life, you’ll be able to make a great first impression by acknowledging her interests. Additionally, if you plan your first date around some of her favorite things, it will show her that you actually remembered your conversations and took them to heart.

Falling in love with someone you have never met can be a daunting idea, but it’s important to keep an open mind when dating online. A recent Harris Interactive survey on online dating habits that was released in conjunction with international dating website AnastasiaDate revealed that 70 percent of American guys* who are open to meeting someone through online dating are actually looking for a serious relationship over a physical one. Even more telling of today’s dating environment is that 64 percent of these men said that they could fall for someone they’ve never had sex with, and 39 percent said that they could fall for someone they’ve never met in person.

Of course, all great relationships are built on trust, and that includes online relationships, too. So treat the connection that you are building with a woman online just like one that you might have in real life before taking things to the next level. Find out what the woman is looking for – maybe she just wants something casual and fun, or maybe she wants a relationship that has the potential to go the distance. You’ll never know if you don’t ask and find out. Be direct, but not overbearing, and she’ll appreciate the honesty.

In the end, it’s important to make 2014 the year that you put yourself out there emotionally to find the woman of your dreams if you’re looking for love. Online dating is not only a great tool to connect with all types of women, but it’s also a way to better understand yourself and what you are looking for in another person. The most important thing that you can do is be yourself, and you will find yourself in more rewarding relationships down the line as a result.

Antonio Sabato Jr

Antonio Sabato, Jr. is one of the hottest commodities to come out of daytime television, nabbing a series of prime-time roles and appearing in the most successful Calvin Klein underwear campaign in the company’s history.  Fashion designer Calvin Klein hired the actor in the summer of 1996 to be the company’s first celebrity model since actor Mark Wahlberg four years earlier.  Sabato later went on to star in daytime’s The Bold and the Beautiful, and Melrose Place.  Soon after, he starred in a  reality dating show My Antonio for VH1. He recently could be seen on ABC’s Castle and will soon star in his own home renovation show, Fix It & Finish It.  Antonio currently resides in Los Angeles and is the celebrity spokesperson for AnastasiaDate, where he has recently launched a dating tips blog to help people to find and maintain love in a cross-cultural digital world.