Who Moved my Cheese?- An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life is the topic of a book written by Spencer Johnson, M.D., and published by Vermilion Publishers. In the book, cheese is a metaphorical representation of what people want to have in their life. This might mean a good job, an affectionate relationship, wealth or ownership, good health or even spiritual tranquility.
The title therefore suggests that occasionally the “cheese” in our life will be moved and therefore one has to be prepared to deal with the change. As the topic suggests, Dr Spencer Johnson provides an “amazing way” to deal with this change in the workplace and in our lives. Spencer does this by showing us how to foresee change, adapt to the change, enjoy it and be forever willing to change immediately when one is called to do so. (Hartwell, 2010)
The story of Who Moved My Cheese starts with a reunion of high school friends. After the reunion, the friends decide to have lunch and they end up chatting in an exceptionally practical manner about the things they have undergone since they left high school. Although they have all lived different lives, they all agree that things turned out differently than they anticipated.
All of them agree that it has been hard for them to change when things change around them. One of the friends named Carlos tells the group that people resist change because they are afraid of changes in their life. This surprises everyone since Carlos was the Captain of the football team and therefore fear should not have been a part of his life. (Hartwell, 2010)
While in the process of catching up, one of the friends called Michael decides to narrate the story of Who Moved My Cheese to the rest of the group. The story consists of four characters comprising of two mice named Sniff and Scurry and two small beings called “Haw” and “Hem”. All these characters live in a maze where they spend their time searching for cheese to sustain them. Both the mice and the little people value the cheese since it means everything to them.
However, each character has a dissimilar approach to life, which determines how they react when the cheese runs out. Sniff and Scurry are good at smelling and going after the cheese once they establish its direction. Instead of sitting to analyze things, the two mice just react to the situation at hand. (Johnson, 1998)
On the other hand, the two little people Hem and Haw tend to complicate everything. Once they find the cheese in the Maze, Hem and Haw are convinced that the mound of cheese will never be exhausted. Hem and Haw are therefore caught unawares when they wake up one day and realize that the cheese is gone. Sniff and Scurry are not surprised by this and they soon get on track looking for new cheese. Instead of following this example, Hem and Haw mope around, complaining that it was unfair for someone to move their cheese.
Instead of looking for new cheese, all that they do is to sit and hope that one day they will wake up and find that their cheese has been returned. When much time passes and it becomes apparent that the cheese will not be returned, Haw goes off in search of new cheese but Ham refuses to leave cheese station C in the hope that somebody will put his cheese back. Meanwhile, Haw keeps going through the maze tired and frightened but determined to find new cheese.
At first, the only motivation that Haw has is his hunger but he soon realizes that it is more fulfilling to look for new cheese than to sit idly waiting for cheese that might never come. After what seems like an eternity, Haw finds new cheese at Cheese Station N and is welcomed by his old friends Sniff and Scurry who are already enjoying the new cheese.
This process teaches Haw one important lesson that someone will forever keep moving the cheese. Once Michael finishes the narration, the friends take some time to discuss the story. During the discussion, the former classmates are able to identify the character that they take after in the story and identify areas where they need to change in their life. (Johnson, 1998)
Although Who Moved My Cheese? Is a small book, it addresses important business and personal lessons on change. In the book, Dr. Spencer presents an excellent way on how to anticipate, adapt, and be ready to change. By reading the book, one is able to realize that change is the only constant thing in life and people should be willing to make changes in their business and in their personal life.
Another thing that the book is trying to teach us is that whether it is a business or personal life, one should not be satisfied with where they stand because one day they might wake up and find that someone has moved their cheese.
This means that people have to think beyond where they are currently stationed because any moment they might be called to move. Another important lesson that the book teaches people is that they should not hold onto the illusion of old things that are no longer available but instead they should be willing to look for new cheese in life. (Johnson, 1998)
Like Sniff and Scurry, people should be willing to keep everything simple without necessarily complicating situations in their life. Another important lesson that the book teaches us is to learn from our mistakes. This can best be seen from the character of Haw who uses his past mistakes to put himself in a better position for any changes that might occur in the future. On top of this, the book teaches people the importance of noting the little changes happening around us so one is better prepared for the big change that might happen in the future.
This is best presented through Hem and Haw who fail to notice that the supply of cheese is diminishing by the day and are therefore surprised when they wake up one day and realize that all the cheese is gone. The book also teaches the important lesson that no one can control change and that things will have to be altered at one point in life.
The book reminds us that there is always a fresh supply of “cheese” out there if only we are willing to go for it. Lastly, what the author seems to be communicating to us is that although change is difficult to deal with, it can be enjoyable and adventurous if only one has the right attitude towards the change. (Johnson, 1998)
Personally, I was able to gain much insight from reading the book. Like Haw, I was able to laugh at my mistakes when I realized that I had become too dependent on “my cheese” and failed to move on when the situation demanded me to. Like Jessica in the story, I realized that my “current relationship was ‘old cheese’ that had some pretty serious mold on it.” (Johnson, 1998, p. 88) Instead of letting go of the relationship, I realized that all that I needed to do was to “let go some behavior that was the cause of our bad relationship.
And then move on to a better way of thinking and acting.” (Johnson, 1998, p. 88)This helped me in a great way and I was able to put my relationship issues in order. What makes the book easy to read is that it is written in simple language that is easy to understand. This makes it appropriate to teach the lesson on change.
The simplicity of the book makes it acceptable across the age divide. I highly recommend Who Moved My Cheese to any person who is currently struggling with change in their business or in their life. At under 100 pages, the book is a quick read and it presents life-changing ideologies that can significantly change our level of satisfaction in life. (Johnson, 1998)
Conclusion
Who moved my Cheese is a simple book that provides important lessons on how to anticipate change and adapt quickly. Whether it is a business or personal life, the book presents us with some important lessons on how we can make change more enjoyable to us.
The book teaches us that failure to change can make us extinct and that the only thing that is constant in life is change. The simple language used to write the book makes it easier for people to understand the message being communicated. This makes the book commendable to anyone struggling with change in any area of his or her life.
References
Hartwell, C. (2010) The Family and Marriage Counseling Directory. Who Moved My Cheese? Web.
Johnson, S. (1998) Who Moved My Cheese. An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and In Your Life. London; Vermilion.