Finding the Sweet Spot: Small Shifts That Spark Big Changes

In a world that often pulls us in countless directions, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to place our focus. Recently, I shared the concept of the "sweet spot"—that intersection where what matters to us and what’s within our control overlap. I’ve shared this idea in general and also in a recent men’s meeting I facilitated, where we dug deeper into this concept using the visual below:

We explored how making just a 10% shift in our focus within this sweet spot—whether in our health, relationships, personal growth, or whatever area of life may be calling for attention—can often lead to significant progress. It’s about small, intentional adjustments that compound over time.

But during our discussion, something even more profound emerged:

Where does this time and energy for the 10% shift come from? What the heck do we do when we already feel stretched too thin?

The conversation naturally expanded to include the things outside of these two circles—the things that either don’t really matter to us or are completely outside of our control. What if a key to unlocking more potential in our lives lies in stepping back to identify what we’re currently focusing on that doesn’t serve us?

Here’s a thought to ponder with that upward inflection of curiosity:

• What are a couple of things that may be sucking up my energy and attention but truly don’t matter or are outside of my control? (e.g., scrolling Instagram to see what celebs are doing, binge-watching Yellowstone, or trying to decode the mysteries of Area 51?)
• Does spending time on these things truly nourish me and align with what I most value? If yes, great! If no…well, what about that?

What would happen if you let go of just a bit of this—freed it up, and redirected it to what lies in that sweet spot of what truly matters to you and what is within your control?

By bringing compassionate curiosity to this question, we can start to notice where we might be spinning our wheels. Perhaps it’s endlessly worrying about something we can’t change, getting caught up in distractions, or focusing on external validation that doesn’t align with our deeper values.

When we allow ourselves to let go of even a fraction of what’s not serving us, we can free up space for what truly matters.

A Simple Practice for Reflection

1. Where am I spending effort and energy that I might be able to redirect?
2. What’s one area of my life that matters most to me right now?
3. What’s a small, doable action I can take this week to create a 10% shift in that direction?

Sometimes, it’s not just about adding more focus—it’s about letting go of the distractions that dilute our energy and attention.

Here’s to stepping back, focusing on what matters, and seeing what small shifts can create for you in 2025.

P.S. Looking for more? Download this guide to help you dive deeper into the idea of What matters to me in 2025 and explore your own sweet spot.

https://yourvaluesledlife.myflodesk.com/what-do-i-want-to-create-in-2025