Paul Veth
  • Home
  • What I build
  • About
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Courses
  • Contact

Paul Veth

support@paulveth.com

Princentuin 2, 4813 CZ, Breda

Pages

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Imprint
  • Right of Withdrawal
  • KvK: 65821327

© 2026 Paul Veth

Powered by Identity First Media Platform

Home/Podcast/You're Stuck at 50% of Your Potential... And You Don't Even Know It
Episode #441

You're Stuck at 50% of Your Potential... And You Don't Even Know It

Most people only reach 50-60% of their potential due to the RAS filter system in their brain, which blocks opportunities based on limiting beliefs stored in the subconscious mind.

February 11, 202512 minUpdated: February 22, 2026
You're Stuck at 50% of Your Potential... And You Don't Even Know It

You're Stuck at 50% of Your Potential... And You Don't Even Know It

0:000:00

Audio in Dutch

Listen on:SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTube

Key takeaways

  • Most people operate at only 50-60% of their potential due to subconscious filtering systems
  • The RAS (Reticular Activating System) filters reality based on deep-seated beliefs, showing you only what aligns with your current self-concept
  • Your limiting beliefs can be identified by writing down your desires and discovering the negative voice explaining why you can't have them
  • You can reprogram your filter by finding evidence that contradicts your limiting beliefs and creating new empowering narratives
  • Breaking through requires consistent work with your subconscious, either through self-directed exercises or accelerated through hypnotherapy

Timestamps

00:00:00Introduction: The Potential Gap
00:02:15Understanding the RAS Filter System
00:04:30How Your Brain Filters Reality
00:06:45The Exercise: Writing Down Your Desires
00:09:20Identifying Your Limiting Beliefs
00:12:40Finding Counter-Evidence and New Narratives

Show notes

In this powerful episode, Paul Vette reveals why most people never reach their full potential and provides a practical framework to break through your personal ceiling. Learn about the Reticular Activating System (RAS) - the brain's filter that determines what opportunities you see and which ones remain invisible. Paul guides you through a transformative exercise to identify the limiting beliefs blocking your success and systematically replace them with empowering narratives. Using the framework of the five layers of identity, discover how to reprogram your subconscious filters and unlock the potential that's already within you. This episode includes practical steps you can implement immediately, along with insights on when hypnotherapy can accelerate your breakthrough. Whether you're seeking financial success, better relationships, or personal transformation, this episode provides the roadmap to move from where you are to where you truly want to be.

Topics

unlock potentialRAS reticular activating systemlimiting beliefssubconscious reprogrammingpersonal breakthroughmindset transformationhypnotherapyself-sabotagebelief systemspeak performance

Full transcript

View full transcript
Welcome to the Paul Vette podcast, a podcast about leadership, mindset and hypnosis. Enjoy listening. There's much more potential in you and I know it for sure. Just watch. If you ask yourself now the question, okay, how much percent of my potential, of what's inside me, am I reaching now? It will never be 100 percent. Maybe there are people who are at 95 percent, some might reach 99 percent, but most people really get stuck at 50 or 60 percent. The question is to you: how much percent of what's inside you are you really getting out? It's good to ask yourself that question anyway. Not nice perhaps, but very simple, if you look at your whole life and you feel within yourself okay, is this really the utmost that was in there all that time or have I limited myself? No, I can actually already answer that question. You limit yourself, but we all do that. Me too, doesn't matter. How I know this is, in your brain there's a certain filter system. And this filter system, I've talked about it before, but this filter system is extremely important for all the potential that you have in you and what actually comes out. And I'll tell you one more time what that filter system is in your brain. You probably recognize it, but I want to share it once more, so that the rest of the exercises, because I'm going to give you an exercise to break through your potential ceiling, besides hypnotherapy of course, that's the very best thing to do. But that filter system is called the RAS, the reticular activation system. But that RAS, as we can call it, that's a filter system and you know it, if you want to buy a new car, then you suddenly see that car or that model driving everywhere. You see much more of them anyway than you saw the week before. That's because of the RAS. It actually filters everything you're occupied with from your subconscious. And what's in your subconscious, that's also often filtered out by the RAS. Because there's so much present around you, that you don't even get everything that's present in the world around you inside you. That's why you never see that car model driving at first, until you want to buy it and suddenly you see it driving everywhere. Or if you walk through a shopping street, at the end of the shopping street, if I'm going to ask you, hey, name a person, a specific person you saw, you just can't name them, it's all filtered out, unless someone is wearing a yellow suit. Of course not during carnival in Brabant, because then everyone is wearing all kinds of crazy suits. Normally when everyone is just all wearing dark blue and such, and 1 person is wearing a yellow suit, then you can name that. But the rest you've all filtered out too. And that filter, you installed that yourself in your brain based on everything from your whole life. And that filter, that has ultimately ensured that your life is as it is now. But beneath that filter you feel that there's much more in you, much more potential. So you have a life that you wish for, that hasn't come out yet. And between the life that you wish for and the life that you're living now, there's that dividing line of among other things that filter. And on what basis is that filter determined? The RAS is determined based on what you deeply believe inside. So the moment that you let's do it right away. Get pen and paper and write it down. Really with pen and paper works the very best. Of course you can type or record it, but writing always works best. Just write down everything you wish for yourself. And that can really be completely selfishly, just completely free. Maybe that beautiful new car or that very large beautiful new house, or that extra house abroad, or that fantastic partner in the relationship, or millions of euros. It doesn't all matter. Write it all down. A six-pack, whatever you want. Beautiful furniture, that one thing, a designer, watch, doesn't all matter. Just write down completely freely everything you wish for. And what you'll notice then is that even when you're working on the list, then you'll already notice: may I write down even more? You already become cautious in that, but write it all down. What I then want you to do, because that actually exposes the filter, is that you take each thing you've written down, so not as a mountain lord, but really take 1 thing at a time. And then you're going to write next to it what you believe about it. And there's always, 100 percent certain to know, always something you believe about it, that's negative. Because otherwise it would namely already be present in your life. So you might think, for example, I can't do that, that's not meant for me, I need so much money for that, I don't have that, that's impossible, I'm not good enough, I'm not worth it, doesn't matter, can be anything. So pardon, determine this for yourself per thing. So just take it easy. I know it's a big task. You can of course also do hypnotherapy, then you come sit in my chair and it all really goes faster to also immediately turn it around. But you can do it fine yourself, but per thing you just write down, okay, what do I believe about that in a negative sense? Nothing coming? You think no, no, I really do believe I can get that beautiful car. Okay, bullshit, otherwise it would already be here. Just 100 percent, you're bullshitting yourself. And that's also what the RAS does. It tries to keep life as it is now, because that's the life you know. And that's just familiar, is safe. So there can also be all kinds of negative beliefs or fears underneath, which is why it's also difficult now to write down why it's not for you. But I guarantee you, if you really take the time for it per thing, and you keep sitting there, then that little voice will come. That little voice that says, yes, that's just not meant for me. Or maybe I just don't believe I can do it. It's a whisper voice. But the longer you ignore the little voice, the louder it's going to scream. If you just keep sitting on that one thing, I guarantee you that. It can sometimes take 20 minutes, but eventually you dare to write down that little voice too. That's not nice, because you actually don't want to admit to yourself at all that you think you can't do it anyway or that it's not meant for you or that a lot of money is needed for it and that that's also not for you or I'm just saying something. So you actually don't want to hear that little voice, that's also the RAS, it doesn't want to let that little voice through. And a few other things in your brain that don't want to admit that. But give and allow yourself the time to listen to it. Because that comes from your subconscious. And as soon as you dare to write down those little voices, then they're in the light. Then you can also do something with them. That's the next step. So dare to listen to the little voice and dare to write it down too. I'm not worth it. I can't do it. It's not meant for me. Just write it all down per thing you wish for. So then you have the list of what you wish for. All the stories you apparently tell yourself why it's not for you, why it's not there yet. You write everything down. Because that's namely the story you believe yourself. And the only thing you have to do is afterwards, then you take per thing the stories you tell yourself why that's not there yet. And then you're going to write down per thing the opposite. So you're going to find proof that proves the opposite of your negative story. So simple example. You want that beautiful car and you say: that's not for me. That's not meant for me. Okay, how can you then prove the opposite that it is meant for you? Don't fall into the trap of just writing down 'it is meant for me, because I believe that'. And then you go against that deeper story of yourself. And that's possible, but then you really have to keep saying it umpteen days in a row and then you can turn that around. But go and look for proof, find proof that proves the opposite that it's not meant for you. And a simple trick, it's a tool, not the answer, but a tool is ask ChatGPT. Just ask Hey, I want a beautiful new car, that costs a hundred thousand. I believe about that that it's not meant for me. What proof can I find that proves the opposite? So that it is meant for me. Help me with that.' And then you get input from ChatGPT and you think about that. You think about it yourself, so that you're going to find an underpinning for yourself whereby it is meant for you, whereby you can start believing that. Even if it's just a small opening. And that's what it's about. It's not about writing down 'it is meant for me' and just trying to ram it in hard. It's about starting to feel a small opening in yourself that maybe it is meant for you. Or maybe underneath 'it's not meant for me, because then I need a hundred thousand'. And to need a hundred thousand for a car, I need at least 1 million profit. It could be that that's the story you tell yourself completely. And maybe you also tell the story 'yes, but if I have 1 million profit, I can better do this and this and this and this with my money'. Well, prove the opposite. Ask ChatGPT and think about it. And make sure there's a 'I'm being called in the meantime, I thought I had turned off the sound'. Make sure you're not disturbed. That's always a good one anyway, because the moment you get to work with your subconscious, then it can take a while before the subconscious starts helping you. Sometimes really up to 20 minutes. And so make sure that you can start telling yourself a story that has a certain belief underneath. So that you can start believing that it is meant for you or that you can start believing that you can earn that much money or that you can believe that you are worth it or that you can start believing that you can drive that car too. I don't know what the story is you tell yourself, but make sure that the proof that actually proves the opposite, that you start believing that. Then you have a list with everything you wish for. Then you have the stories you tell yourself, why it's not present in your reality now. And then those stories. You're going to find proof that proves the opposite. So that it is meant for you or that you can do it. And make sure that you write down a new story of which you feel somewhere deep inside, okay, yes, yes, I can get behind this, I do believe that. And that story is the story you're going to tell yourself daily. And then you'll notice that that list of what you wish for suddenly starts coming closer. That you start seeing opportunities, that you start seeing the possibilities. And then it can still be that you find it scary to grab that opportunity. Because maybe you're invited on a podcast or you're invited to speak for a group. Yes, new fears surface there. Again the answer hypnotherapy. Fear, hypnotherapy works fantastically. Or you see okay, but it was actually that fear that kept me from getting there. Then you have information, then you can also prove the opposite for that again. Or you'll just have to get to work step by step. So if you find it scary to speak for groups, again hypnotherapy, Or you just participate in a speaker training, because then you end up in a group with people who all find it scary. You learn tools and you're suddenly going to speak for a group step by step. Instead of having in your head that you have to speak for 1000 people, you just practice it nicely in a safe setting with fellow people who are also facing it. So then you can tackle that. So I would say get to work with it. I'll just write out the steps again in the caption below, so you can read it. There are of course many more possibilities to get to work with this, but this is a very powerful tool. I know it takes a lot of time, but the moment you don't get that potential out of yourself that is in there, then you're just really going to regret that later. And that's really a shame, because there's just so much more in you. I can get angry about that because it touches me. Because I wish for you that all your potential comes out. Well good, I hope things are going well with your loved ones. I hope things are going well with you. And I wish you of course a very nice day. Bye! --- This transcript has been translated from Dutch.

Frequently asked questions

What is the RAS and how does it limit my potential?

The RAS (Reticular Activating System) is your brain's filter that determines what information reaches your conscious awareness. It filters reality based on your deep-seated beliefs and past experiences. If you believe something isn't possible for you, the RAS filters out opportunities that could make it possible, keeping you stuck at your current level. This is why you suddenly see a car model everywhere once you decide to buy it - your RAS has been reprogrammed to notice it.

How do I identify the limiting beliefs blocking my success?

Start by writing down everything you desire without censorship. Then, for each item, sit quietly and listen for the quiet voice that explains why you can't have it. This voice might say 'that's not for me,' 'I'm not worthy,' or 'I don't have enough money.' It may take up to 20 minutes of sitting with each desire, but eventually that whisper will become clear. These are the beliefs your RAS uses to filter your reality.

What's the process for replacing limiting beliefs with empowering ones?

Once you've identified a limiting belief, find evidence that proves the opposite. Don't just write affirmations - find concrete proof that contradicts your negative belief. You can use tools like ChatGPT to help generate counter-evidence. Then create a new narrative based on this evidence that you can genuinely believe, even if only slightly. The goal is to create a small opening in your belief system, which your RAS will then begin to support with new opportunities.

Why does Paul recommend hypnotherapy for this work?

Hypnotherapy accelerates the process of identifying and transforming limiting beliefs by working directly with the subconscious mind. While the exercise Paul describes can be done independently and is powerful, hypnotherapy can accomplish in one or two sessions what might take weeks or months of self-directed work. It's particularly effective for addressing fears and anxieties that emerge when new opportunities present themselves, helping you move through blocks rather than getting stuck on them.

What should I do when new fears emerge as I pursue my goals?

New fears are a sign of progress - they appear when you're actually getting closer to your goals. When you feel anxiety about a new opportunity, like speaking in public or taking on a bigger role, you have options: use hypnotherapy to quickly resolve the fear, apply the same belief-work process to the new fear, or take gradual steps like joining a speaker training program where you can practice in a safe environment with others facing similar challenges.

Related episodes

My #1 Mistake That Stopped Me From Becoming a Top DJ
#453

My #1 Mistake That Stopped Me From Becoming a Top DJ

10 min
You've Already Grown - But Your Brain Doesn't See It
#466

You've Already Grown - But Your Brain Doesn't See It

8 min
Why Conscious Behavior Change Fails (And What Works Instead)
#440

Why Conscious Behavior Change Fails (And What Works Instead)

11 min

Get in touch

Want to learn more or collaborate? Feel free to reach out.

Get in touch