The Sweet Spot: How to Find Your Groove at Home and Work

Join the GGSC and Berkeley Arts and Letters for the launch of Christine Carter's latest book


  • Venue: Hillside Club, Berkeley, CA
  • Date: January 21, 2015
  • Time: 7:30 pm
  • Price: $12-$48

Author and sociologist Carter has a unique perspective on the ongoing water cooler conversation about 'having it all' and how one can be fulfilled, successful, and actually enjoy what life offers. Professionally, she works here at the Greater Good Science Center, where she's privy to and distills the latest findings on positive psychology, productivity research, organizational theories, and the neuroscience of habits and willpower, and translates these findings into action plans for people like us to use in their daily lives. 

In her personal life, Dr. Carter is a working mother and knows that putting a plan into action is more difficult than just laying out the steps from some new study. In fact, not too long ago, she found herself in that place familiar to so manyburned out physically and emotionally, and feeling that no matter what methodology she tried (delegating, leaning in, re-prioritizing) she just couldn't rid herself from feelings of overwhelm and exhaustion. So, she looked at the data anew, put herself through the paces, and worked to recreate her routine.

Her trials and errors are our reward. In The Sweet Spot, Dr. Carter shares what she calls the "Sweet Spot Equation," a combination of strategies and practices for becoming more resilient to stress (because it's going to happen) and more able to bounce back and find your stride again. In this timely book, she shows us the science and art of how to:

  • Convert stress into productive and creative energy to fightand conquerthe prevalent feelings of overwhelm;
  • Institute daily micro-habits that channel our brain's natural ability to run on autopilot, so the habits bear the burdens that we've been hoping willpower would shoulder;
  • Use technology more effectively, including understanding why supposed 'time savers' can actually sap our energy;
  • Find and follow our true herd or clan, and then prioritize and cultivate these positive and supportive relationships; 
  • Become comfortable with a little discomfort while we build mastery and develop the grit to bounce back from life's inevitable setbacks. 

GGSC founder Dr. Dacher Keltner will introduce Dr. Carter, followed by a presentation by her based on the new book.