Book Summary: Who Moved My Cheese: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work & Life

Author: Dr. Spencer Johnson

Book Size: 32 pages

Book available: Amazon, , For free pdf you can contact me through my profile

Book Cover: Who Moved My Cheese

Moral and Introduction:

Who Moved My Cheese? is a charming little read about the dangers of complacency and the need of accepting change, but it offers nothing new.

Who Moved My Cheese? is a transformation story set in a Maze in which four individuals hunt for “Cheese,” a symbol for what we desire in life.

The story’s four imaginary characters — the mice “Sniff” and “Scurry,” as well as the LittlePeople “Hem” and “Haw” — are meant to symbolize both the basic and complicated aspects of ourselves.

Whatever pieces of ourselves we choose to utilize, we all have one goal: to successfully traverse the Maze and flourish in rapidly changing times

Valuable Takeaways

• There is a difference between activity and productivity.
• It’s easier to adjust to change when you get out of your comfort zone.
• The terror you let rise in your mind is far larger than the real circumstance.
• When your beliefs change, so do your behaviors.
• The simplest way to change is to laugh at yourself; once you’ve done that, you can let go and go on.
• You must chart your own course, push yourself past your comfort zone, and face your anxieties. There is no one who can do it for you or convince you to do it. You must be able to recognize the benefits of altering your lifestyle.
• Rather than staying in your comfort zone, it is best to be aware of your true capabilities.

What the Book Has to Say

Sniff, Scurry, Hem, and Haw are four critters searching for their favorite cheese in a dark, convoluted maze.

The mice Sniff and Scurry employ a simple trial-and-error approach to locate cheese. Hem and Haw, the two LittlePeople, use their clever minds to create more intricate methods of obtaining Cheese. However, Hem and Haw’s beliefs cause their emotions to take over and change how they see things, making life in the maze extremely tough and perplexing.

Both mice and LittlePeople find their favorite sort of cheese at the end of one of Cheese Station C’s tunnels one morning. After that, the mice return to feast every morning, rising up early and following the same path each time, thereby creating a pattern.

Hem and Haw used to race to Cheese Station C every morning when they were youngsters. However, as time passes, the two LittlePeople return, believing that the cheese would always be accessible.

The mice arrive at Cheese Station C one morning to discover that there is no cheese. They aren’t surprised in the least. Sniff and Scurry are ready for the worst after noticing the cheese supplies dropping by the day.

The mouse can see both the issue and the solution. Sniff and Scurry have chosen to make a change because the situation at Cheese Station C has altered. In search of New Cheese, they race through the maze.

Meanwhile, Hem and Haw arrive at Cheese Station C, fully oblivious to the little changes that take place on a regular basis. Both of them are hesitant to admit that they have eaten the cheese. The inequity of the situation irritates them, and they are bewildered as to how such a position could have evolved. Hem rejected Haw’s suggestion of looking for New Cheese.

Sniff and Scurry travel deeper into the maze, until they come across “Cheese Station N,” which has the largest cheese cache the mice have ever seen.

Meanwhile, Hem and Haw become irritated with one another and blame one another for their predicament. Haw offers another expedition for new cheese, inspired by the mice. Hem, on the other hand, is comforted by his routine and dismisses the idea again.

After a period of denial, the LittlePeople go without cheese, growing weaker from hunger with each passing day. Finally, one day, Haw laughs at himself, understanding that he and Haw keep repeating the same things and wondering why things don’t improve. Haw enters the maze, knowing that he will finally be able to laugh at himself, let go, and go on, but not before chiseling “If You Do Not Change, You Will Become Extinct” on the wall of Cheese Station C for his companion to consider.

Haw finds a little Cheese here and there during the following several days, but nothing that lasts long. When Haw returns his gaze, he notices that the Cheese at Cheese Station C did not vanish as he had expected. Rather, despite his denial of what was to come, the amount of cheese present at the climax had been dwindling.

In the future, Haw promises to be more careful. He anticipates and desires change, and he will rely on his basic instincts to forecast when the shift will occur and respond accordingly.

Haw overcomes his trepidation and returns for Hem with the few chunks of New Cheese he has discovered after several empty cheese stations. “I don’t suppose I’d appreciate New Cheese,” Hem says, declining his friend’s invitation to leave. It’s not like it’s something I’m used to. “I’m not going to change my ways until I have my Cheese back.”

Dejected, Haw returns to the maze’s farthest point, but he feels stronger than ever, confident that he is no longer allowing fear to rule his life. Haw writes a trail of inscriptions on the wall after finding little bits of cheese here and there to clarify his views and act as a marked path for Hem should he ever desire to depart Cheese Station C.

One day, Hem comes upon Cheese Station N, which is stocked with cheese, including some new types, and runs into his old pals Sniff and Scurry. After eating, Hem contemplates going to Cheese Station C to teach Haw how to fix his dilemma, but he remembers that he has already attempted to persuade his buddy to alter his mind. Hem recognizes that Haw must forge his own path, away from his familiar surroundings and worries. Nobody else can help him or convince him. He must see the need to change himself in some way.

Hem finds the biggest wall in Cheese Station N and scrawls the following on it:

• Change happens. They Keep The Cheese Moving
• Be ready for the unexpected. Get ready to witness the cheese move.
• Change is something to be aware of. Check the cheese frequently to check whether it has passed its prime.
• Adapt quickly to change. You’ll be able to appreciate fresh cheese sooner if you get rid of old cheese swiftly.
• Change your thoughts and go with the flow of the cheese.
• Change is exciting! Enjoy The Taste Of New Cheese While Savoring The Adventure!
• Prepare for quick transformation and a new level of enjoyment. They Keep The Cheese Moving.

Then, out in the Maze, Haw hears what he believes is movement and understands that someone is approaching as the noise grows louder. Haw hopes and prays, like he has many times before, that Hem has finally found the road…