I make my husband do it first.
Really though I find that watching other people first helps me get a better idea of what I need to do. Helps me understand more what the sled is going to do and how to ride it.
I had a "made myself do it" moment recently up in Cooke. I have only been off a drop once before. I was taking pictures and watched my husband drop off a little bank. Instantly got a knot inside my stomach as I thought I should try it too. Watched him drop off it again, my whole body started shaking as I put the camera away and walked over to my sled. Tried to bring my confidence up by launching up the bank (something I was comfortable with) before turning around and going back off it. Didn't really help all that much so I sat a few sled lengths away and studied it.
I kept thinking about that John Wayne line that goes something like this "bravery is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." The knot in my stomach had reached strangling proportions. Decided I should error on the side off too much throttle, picked my line, and told myself to GO and BE BRAVE! Somehow I did go and even though it was scary and I backed off the throttle a bit, I instantly turned around and did it about 4-5 times. Each time it got better and I got braver on the throttle. Still scary but also fun. I like the part where you are in the air just floating down.
What have I learned recently (for me anyway) was it is okay to sit and study it- as long you are making a plan as to exactly how you are going to ride it and not dragging yourself down saying I can't do it or just staring at it with your eyes bugging out. I'm more confident when I have a plan. Even just my husband saying something like "why don't you head up that hill about half way, then sidehill to the right and go right between those trees" makes a world of difference for me.