Once I had to learn how to take care of 40 horses.
I was scared of them but they were going to be my responsibility and I had to learn how to catch them.
I gave myself an hour each afternoon to go into the pasture with my catching rope; following the horses around, but mostly running away from them. After about a week I let a horse come near, I put the rope over his neck and walked him over to the barn.
This "stay there for an hour" method has also worked well for me when learning Digital Performer and other scary programs.
It sets the tone: I'm going to stick it out and let this wildly unknown world seep in.
What have you found that helps you learn something new?