I am no good off the ground but i force myself to go up and am getting better.For me i have to feel something next to me or my balance gets all screwed up.I went and bought a SUMITT climber(the sit down,stand up style)and feel this stand is the reason i can hunt from a tree because it feels very stable and solid.I bought the climbing stirrups this year to eliminate having to bend over and crouch down while up in the tree so that should make it easier yet.My advice would be DON'T GO HIGHER THAN YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH or you may end up passing a shot on the buck of a lifetime because you're too busy trying to get up the nerve to stand and take the shot.Also find yourself a good size tree to avoid swaying in the wind!Try to get used to it by practicing being in the air safely to build confidence--if you don't feel good about it don't do it.