Self-focus is an almost universal human problem. In a world of social media and encouragement to be yourself and believe in yourself, it is all too easy to turn inward, and for self-focus to overtake even our good intentions, but the results of this can be toxic.
Where society would say that self-esteem is the solution to our problems, Sharon Hodde Miller proposes that instead self-forgetfulness is the answer, and that if we would realise life is not all about us, and instead put our focus on God, our lives would be much better.
Recognising that is one thing; actually changing our focus in this way is a much harder task, but this book provides valuable help.
It takes seven areas of life (God, family, appearance, possessions, friendships, calling and church) and explores the ways in which we might be tempted to make those things about us, as well as looking at the consequences of doing this.
This is followed up with some practical advice on how we can move away from this self-focus to put our focus on God.
Miller's writing is challenging, cutting to the heart of our motivations and revealing them for what they are. However, she writes as someone who is on this journey too, and illustrates her points with a variety of examples from her own life, both of getting caught up in self-focus and of overcoming it.
This book left me challenged and with a lot to think about and I'm sure it is a book I will return to and reflect on some more.

**I received this book for free from the publisher through Netgalley. My review and opinions are my own.**

Miller’s book addresses a problem common to humanity – self-focus. Our souls naturally curve inward and we naturally focus on ourselves, she says – and I’m sure many of us (myself included) have seen this to be true. Knowing this, how do we recognize it and what do we do about it?

Part 1 of the book is mostly autobiographical, telling her story of discovering her own drive to self-focus and learning about “self-forgetfulness.” Part 2 dives more deeply into how we can recognize the places and ways we focus on ourselves, and how it affects us and those around us. Addressing parts of life like God, family, friendships, and church, this section is extremely beneficial if you’re not sure whether or not you struggle in a certain area.

Part 3, how to get our focus off self, is where the book really shines. Taken in four sections – praise, people, purpose, and passion – this section is a walk through how God tells us to aim ourselves outward in love and service. Part 3 was absolutely my favorite section of the book. The chapter on praise was worth the whole book.