You're the efficiency expert, remember? So, why is finding a great date so hard? Well, you might be looking in the wrong place.
If you're searching for a partner, don't waste time looking in situations you already know you dislike, such as gigantic gatherings of strangers. Accept invitations to smaller parties, ideally with a good pal or two. When you can talk with an interesting stranger one-on-one you have a much better chance of finding common interests.
You might not be an avid sports fan, but watching a baseball game or tennis match in a stadium or sports bar is leisurely enough to allow plenty of time to get to know one another. Just make sure their eyes are (mostly) on you!