I hate making cold calls as well but the only way to get over your fear is to pick up the phone and call. 

The Bigger Pockets podcasts have really helped bridge any doubts or fears that we have had in the last 90 days.

Now that i am getting over my phone fear, When talking to FSBOs, I want to make offers (sometimes multiple on the same property) .How do i do that?

Find your passion and bet big.You don't want to be asking these questions 20 years later.....If your fear is screwing up royally, whether financially or relationships or personally or whatever....the best thing you can do is RESEARCH the hell out of it.

My biggest fear is a tenant getting hurt on my property (i.e.

I guess I'm still getting over the "fear stage," but I'm determined to do little more research and first secure loan and then ill move forward.

I have heard that mistakes and fear are pretty normal.  

My fear with RI is exactly what you note (high taxes, anti-business, etc).  

My mother is a perfect example of someone close to me who was skeptical, but she was just fearful that I was making a huge mistake.

My fear is the economy will get better before I can get rich.