Solve the following math problem efficiently and clearly:

- For simple problems (2 steps or fewer):
Provide a concise solution with minimal explanation.

- For complex problems (3 steps or more):
Use this step-by-step format:

## Step 1: [Concise description]
[Brief explanation and calculations]

## Step 2: [Concise description]
[Brief explanation and calculations]

...

Regardless of the approach, always conclude with:

Therefore, the final answer is: $oxed{answer}$. I hope it is correct.

Where [answer] is just the final number or expression that solves the problem.

Problem: The midpoints of the sides of a regular hexagon $ABCDEF$ are joined to form a smaller hexagon.  What fraction of the area of $ABCDEF$ is enclosed by the smaller hexagon? [asy]
import olympiad; import geometry; size(150); defaultpen(linewidth(0.8)); dotfactor=4;
pair[] bigHexagon = new pair[6];
bigHexagon[0] = dir(0);
pair[] smallHexagon = new pair[6];
smallHexagon[0] = (dir(0) + dir(60))/2;
for(int i = 1; i <= 7; ++i){

bigHexagon[i] = dir(60*i);

draw(bigHexagon[i]--bigHexagon[i - 1]);

smallHexagon[i] = (bigHexagon[i] + bigHexagon[i - 1])/2;

draw(smallHexagon[i]--smallHexagon[i - 1]);
}
dot(Label("$A$",align=dir(0)),dir(0)); dot(Label("$B$",align=dir(60)),dir(60)); dot(Label("$C$",align=dir(120)),dir(120)); dot(Label("$D$",align=dir(180)),dir(180)); dot(Label("$E$",align=dir(240)),dir(240)); dot(Label("$F$",align=dir(300)),dir(300));
[/asy]
user