WHO MOVED MY CHEESE?

During the long fight to Sydney from Perth, I used that time for reading a light book (76 pages) named: “Who moved my cheese? – An amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life.” by Dr. Spencer Johnson, published in 1999 by Vermilion.

Overall, it is a very interesting and insightful book I have ever read. There are many lessons con be inferred from it. The main story is a parable of how change can be dealt by 4 characters: 2 mice: Sniff and Scurry; and two little people: Haw and Hem. They were living in a Maze and have to find their cheese everyday to survive. By running into the Maze, they could find some pieces of cheese here and there. However, the ways they find cheese differently between the mice and the littlepeople-beings. The mice’s way based on their simple brains and good instincts, but the little humans’ on their complex brains, filled with many beliefs and emotions.

One day, they found a very big cheese at Cheese station C. The two littlepeople settled and made themselves at home there. They were happy and very proud of themselves to find that cheese.

One morning they arrived at Cheese station C and discovered there was no cheese. The two little mice were not surprised and they put on shoes and run again to find new cheese. Later that day, Hem and Haw arrived. They yelled: “WHAT! NO CHEESE? WHO MOVED MY CHEESE? IT’S NOT FAIR!” Hem was shock!

Hem was angry to that situation and did not want to do anything to change.

Haw was thinking deeper and after fighting within himself. He decided to hit the road and started to move with the cheese, find new cheese. Here are many lessons from Haw:

The more important your Cheese is to You. The more You want to Hold on to it.
If you do not change, you can become extinct.
What would you do, if you Weren’t Afraid?
Monitor Change: Smell the Cheese often so You know when it is getting Old.
Movement in a new direction helps you find new cheese.
When you stop being Afraid, you feel Good!
Adapt to change quickly: The Quicker you let go of Old Cheese, the sooner you find New Cheese.
It is safer to Search in the Maze, than remain in a Cheeseless situation.
Old Beliefs do not lead you to New Cheese.
When you see that you can find and enjoy new cheese, you change course.
Change happens: They keep moving the Cheese.
Anticipate Change: Get Ready for the Cheese to Move.
Change: Move with the Cheese.
Enjoy Change: Savor the Adventure and Enjoy the Taste of New Cheese.
Be ready to Change Quickly and Enjoy it again and again.