Many people become shy and nervous when they are about to meet new people, because it is just simple human nature to believe that other people are judging you. As a matter of fact the person that you are about to meet is probably feeling just as nervous as you and wondering if you will find them attractive just as you are wondering if they will find you attractive. This all has to do with our self confidence and how we value ourselves. People who have a high self esteem will never have these problems because they are comfortable with themselves and who they are and this is what you have to do in order to put away the shy feeling and start having a great time.
The first thing you have to do is to change those negative feelings about yourself. Stop worrying about whether he or she is going to like you before you even meet, approach this encounter with a positive attitude. Program your mind into thinking that you are just going out on a date with someone to have a good time, and if you are both meant to be together then you will know by the persons reaction towards you. So stop that unnecessary worrying and think positive, give yourself credit for if you were not a nice person then maybe you would not even be going on a date with someone.
You might want to try the power of positive thinking, where everything is possible because you believe that anything can happen. Have confidence in yourself, laugh at yourself even to ease any tension that you may have, for laughter can be very relaxing and it will put you in a happy mood. Smile a lot, that can be totally disarming to someone and soon you will find yourself in a different frame of mind where you are able to go out and face whatever is waiting for you.
You will be surprised to know the changes in you when you change the way you feel about yourself and the way others will think about you. So stop worrying, get dressed with a knock them dead look and a confidence to match. Go out and strike up a conversation with that date of yours, be brave and take the first step in starting a conversation, it doesn't have to be serious, something light like "don't you just love dancing" and you will be surprised to see the reaction of the other person. They will feel that you are the coolest person out there on the planet, because you are such an easy person to get along with, and all you had to do was think positive and smile.