Durham, N.C. - Athletes call it "being in the zone." It's that elusive state where a player performs at such a high level, it seems almost incredible. What's at work when this happens, and how can the rest of us learn to 'get in the zone'?

That's the focus of On the Sweet Spot: Stalking the Effortless Present, a new book by Richard Keefe, associate professor of medical psychology at Duke University Medical Center.

"Every athlete has had some times where they feel like everything they do is just right. This book is about how to access those periods of getting into that 'zone' where everything is effortless."

Keefe draws from new brain research, sports psychology and ancient spiritual traditions to explain how we can use such techniques as visualization, meditation and conscious breathing to reach our full potential. He says this will enhance our performance not only in sports, but in relationships, workplace skills and other aspects of our lives.

"There's no reason to only limit these sports psychology techniques like visualization to sports. There are all kinds of ways in which this approach can enrich your everyday life as well.