7 Strategies for Overcoming Fear of Advancement

Have you ever noticed that every major turning point in life—whether personal or national—often comes right after a difficult season? There’s a reason behind the saying, “It gets worse before it gets better.” And for me, that’s exactly where the Philippines is right now.

Though we have faced many challenges, there’s a stirring sense that things are about to get better—because a new generation of leaders is quietly being prepared. These are our youth—curious, daring, and more advanced in thinking than generations before them.

According to Republic Act No. 8044 or the Youth in Nation-Building Act, Filipino youth are those aged 15 to 30. This young generation is our greatest hope to move beyond fear—to lead with courage and vision.

Below are seven practical and spiritual strategies that can help overcome our collective fear of advancement as a people and as individuals.

1. Plan Far Ahead—Think in 'Light-Years,' Not Just Decades

Singapore’s leaders planned fifty years in advance, and look where it brought them. For Filipino youth, planning decades ahead isn’t just smart—it’s sacred. Because when we plan with purpose, we’re not just preparing for progress; we’re aligning with eternity.

Christ’s words echo this truth: “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” Planning beyond ourselves—beyond a lifetime—means crafting a future that glorifies God and uplifts humanity.

So don’t just think like Singapore’s planners; think like visionaries who see both Earth and Heaven as connected destinations. Dream far, but walk faithfully. True advancement always starts with divine intention.

2. Mine a Lot of Related Information

Knowledge is a treasure mine—and the books we read are our pickaxes. Read the right materials: history, science, technology, and the arts—but most of all, read about nation-building.

Lee Kuan Yew’s “From Third World to First” remains a great guide, showing how clear vision and consistent discipline can build a modern state. I personally enjoyed studying the Renaissance period, an age when curiosity defeated fear.

Fear fades when you understand what you’re dealing with. So keep learning, keep digging, and most importantly—share what you find. Knowledge hoarded is like gold buried under dust; knowledge shared multiplies.

3. Study What You Fear

Oscar Wilde once said, “Education is an admirable thing, but nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.” I understood this deeply when I faced a health scare years ago.

After a painful breast injury caused by a boating accident, I experienced recurring discomfort for two years. When I was advised to undergo a mammogram, a book found me—Harvey Diamond’s “You Can Prevent Breast Cancer.” It changed my path. I followed his advice, choosing natural remedies like green tea and moringa.

Later in life, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, but again, through prayer and study, I discovered the Budwig Diet and Protocol—a simple, natural combination of flaxseed oil, cottage cheese, and fruits. With faith and discipline, I healed without chemotherapy.

That experience taught me that knowledge can literally save a life. When you understand what you fear, fear loses its grip. Keep researching, stay open, and trust that wisdom is one of God’s greatest healers.

4. Dream Lofty—but Love People Magnanimously

Aim high—but do it out of love, not pride. Great dreams become sacred when rooted in compassion. Look up at the vast universe—suddenly, what feels “too big” becomes tiny in comparison to God’s creation.

When leaders resist progress, it’s not fear of failure—it’s fear of change. But when hearts align with God, fear dissolves. As I always say, “When you walk with a giant, would you still fear the elf?”

One bold dream for our nation is to shift to a Parliamentary form of government. In this system, members of Parliament choose their Prime Minister from among themselves—and if leadership falters, they can pass a Vote of No Confidence without national chaos.

It’s efficient, accountable, and unites colleagues toward common goals—unlike our Presidential system, where rivalry often overshadows unity. So to our young readers: dream big, but dream wisely. Let your ambition serve people, not ego.

5. Join a Team with the Same Objective

Andrew Carnegie once said, “Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”

In my years at the Judiciary, I witnessed the power of teamwork firsthand. Our team—a judge, lawyers, researchers, stenographers, and staff—worked like a symphony. Each role was different, but all aimed at one purpose: justice.

The same principle applies to governance, business, and education. China, Japan, and Singapore built their progress on coordinated teamwork and continuous learning. When people unite for a shared vision, fear has no place.

So, whether you’re a student group, a school faculty, or a family—build teamwork into your culture. When courage becomes collective, advancement becomes unstoppable.

6. Share Your Deep Faith in God

Many people misunderstand money, power, and God. The first two are gifts; the last is the Giver.

Most successful people started with faith—they prayed for wisdom, strength, and opportunity. But somewhere along the way, they began pleasing people instead of God. That’s where leadership starts to crumble.

Whether at home or in public office, a true leader never forgets who entrusted the power. As the Bible says, “Every authority comes from God.”

So, share your faith openly—within your family, with your peers, and in your workplace. The next generation of leaders must remember that no amount of intellect can replace divine guidance. When a leader forgets the Giver, the gifts lose meaning.

7. Believe in Exercise and the Power of Superfoods

Leadership demands energy. A tired mind cannot think boldly, and an unhealthy body cannot inspire.

I’ve personally enjoyed the healing power of ground flaxseed and chia seeds. They helped me recover from a simple burn and even relieved tooth pain! These “superfoods” are small but mighty—proving that nature itself wants us well.

Physical wellness sharpens mental clarity. A healthy body creates a fearless mind. So, move your body, eat wisely, and treat your health as your first leadership responsibility. Because a strong leader inspires strength in others.

Conclusion: The Fearless Generation

Each of us carries fears inherited from generations past—fears of failure, criticism, or change. But those fears can end with us.

Once you discover what holds you back and confront it with faith, courage shines through you. When that happens to one, it spreads to many—and soon, society itself becomes braver.

So, whether you are a student, teacher, or parent, remember this: If you work on something greater than yourself, fear fades.If you believe in someone higher than yourself, creativity flows.

True advancement isn’t just about systems or structures—it’s about souls awakening. Combine divine and scientific wisdom, and you’ll find that all fears—guilt, doubt, or failure—lose their power.

Have no fear. The light within you was made to advance.