It is like walking into the cold ocean. You know the only way to do it is to do it; you know it is going to suck, but you know it isn't going to kill you. And that after a while, it won't feel so bad. You get used to it.
I started contacting my old professors, soliciting letters of recommendation. This is the first round. Depending on the response I get, I intend to gradually increase the pressure -- more emails, phone calls, etc. Hopefully I'll be able to get everything in order.