It doesn't sound like you limit yourself but it seems you're over-thinking things and putting too much pressure on yourself to meet someone. I've found it so much better when I just go out, have a good time and to meet new people. Women will be drawn to that and when you see someone you like don't you wanna get to know them first since they may in fact be half brain dead?
You will have to go through a lot of them just to find a good one. Don't be one of those guys who settles for anyone that comes along in fear of ending alone. This is getbig goddamn it, we're all Casanovas!!
You're right about chronic over-thinking. I am naturally cautious and analytical - I do well in bear markets, not so much in the bull market (obligatory no homo).
So I tend to act like that no matter the situation, social settings included. That includes evaluating my chances with a woman. I will always lose out to the man who takes chances. As Wayne Gretzky said, "you miss 100% of the shots you never take". I'm so concerned with lining up the shot perfectly, that by the time I get around to convincing myself that the game is rigged in my favor, I've lost her attention, some other guy has come in, or the night has ended.
By it's a pathological fear of rejection that keeps me from over-riding the analytical thought process. I refuse to lose and will over-think every decision until I know victory is a near certainty. It's been my hallmark in business transactions. At first it held me back in business, as opportunities exploded before I could capitalize. But over time, I've grown and developed, and can keep up pretty well without over-extending my risk. But that ability to spot opportunities in business faster, has not been married to an ability to spot opportunities with women faster than when I was young. I'm still inept, slow, unresponsive and overly cautious.
I do very well in social settings where there isn't pressure to "pick up" - I'm outgoing, funny, and love telling stories, which usually adds life to the party...I've lived a rich life so there's a lot to tell. And although I'm quite a dunce when it comes to picking on other women's cues that they may be interested, I've in fact had it told to me by a number of platonic female friends that "hey that girl likes you". Which I usually dismiss as whimsical female fancy. And even if I do consider it, my friend's opinion that I should "go hit that" is usually not enough to tip my scales...I seem to only respond to an overt display of interest (think along the lines of a girl saying "hey, you're really hot, and I need you now"). Anything short of that, and I get analysis paralysis.
It's all in my head. Just that my head is the only thing I ever listen to. LOL!