10 things I learned from The Sweet Spot: How to Accomplish More by Doing Less by Christine Carter Phd

When you hit a tennis ball in the sweet spot of a tennis racket it feels smooth, easy and powerful. If you miss the sweet spot it will still work but it is tiring and physically draining. A spot of great strength and ease.

It is about having what you need of everything at all times. Not whether you are rich or in poverty but having enough. You will find that in the present moment, you will almost always have sufficient time and money and health to do what you are doing. This is better than thinking about the past or the future and worrying about not having enough.

Do this consciously.

Now we get stress responses for smaller and smaller things. Spilled milk can put us into full blown stress and rage mode if we do not self regulate.

Negative emotions and experiences can be guiding.

Take in the good. Turn positive facts into positive experiences by reflecting and meditating: this turns a fact (good day at work, good meal) into an experience. For example, say you made a useful spreadsheet. If you take a moment to reflect on it, maybe take a selfie with it (?) the fact that you made a useful spreadsheet has become an event and a memory: the celebration of that spreadsheet.

For example, your bedtime routine. You go to sleep but you clean up dinner --> put on pajamas --> brush your teeth (mini habit) --> put the cap back on the toothpaste (micro habit). A keystone habit would cascade and change all subsequent habits: if you turned off all screens at 9 PM for example.

Whether it is smoking or working out.

These could be bigger topics, like health, wealth, and family. They could also be more specific, like preparing for a presentation. The better you get at saying no to the unimportant, the more progress you will be able to make on the important.

When you mirror someone smiling, etc. this can happen on a micro level. Bodies are physically synchronizing in human interaction.