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: A square is divided into nine smaller squares of equal area. The center square is then divided into nine smaller squares of equal area and the pattern continues indefinitely. What fractional part of the figure is shaded? [asy]
import olympiad; size(150); defaultpen(linewidth(0.8)); dotfactor=4;
void drawSquares(int n){

draw((n,n)--(n,-n)--(-n,-n)--(-n,n)--cycle);

fill((-n,n)--(-1/3*n,n)--(-1/3*n,1/3*n)--(-n,1/3*n)--cycle);

fill((-n,-n)--(-1/3*n,-n)--(-1/3*n,-1/3*n)--(-n,-1/3*n)--cycle);

fill((n,-n)--(1/3*n,-n)--(1/3*n,-1/3*n)--(n,-1/3*n)--cycle);

fill((n,n)--(1/3*n,n)--(1/3*n,1/3*n)--(n,1/3*n)--cycle);
}

drawSquares(81); drawSquares(27); drawSquares(9); drawSquares(3); drawSquares(1);
[/asy]
user