Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life

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Summary: "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson / A critique
Review: "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson
A critique

Once upon a time there were two mice and two men. As strange as it may seem, the mice had more sense than the men did... common sense, that is. The mice had more sense because when they realized that change was inevitable, they knew instinctively that it was time to move on.

And that is the basic theme to Spencer Johnson's number 1 bestseller, "Who Moved My Cheese?" But there is much more to this short, easy-to-read, pocket-sized manuscript than that. There is a great deal of wisdom to be gleaned from the pages of this little book. The four characters in the story are Sniff and Scurry, the two mice, and two mouse-sized men, Hem and Haw. These four fictional critters lived in a make-believe maze and had to deal with the not-so-make-believe problem of change. The four of them are found living contentedly in Cheese Station C where is found an ample supply of tasty cheese. The cheese in this story represents the things that we treasure in this life. The treasure may be health, wealth, love, family, work, leisure, or whatever is valuable to us. In the story, things began to slowly change. The abundant supply of cheese began to dwindle, even as the treasure in our lives sometimes dwindles. The mice in the story did not find the dwindling supply of cheese to be a problem. Being creatures of instinct, they simply knew that it was time to move on in search of new cheese. The men, however, did not have such an easy time giving up the cheese they loved. Being the emotional, creatures of habit that they were, they found it very difficult to accept the fact that they had run out of cheese; that their cheese was no longer available to them. Eventually, the little man named Haw accepted the fact that he no longer had cheese. Haw realized that he could not remain in his cheese-less state in Cheese Station C. He accepted that he must venture out into the maze in search of new cheese. At first, Haw had a difficult time of it. Cheese was hard to find out there in the maze, and he found the unknown parts of the maze to be dark and chilling, much different than the comfort that he remembered at Cheese Station C. After a while, Haw began to find a little bit of cheese here and there. It wasn't long before Haw began to realize that he was enjoying his quest for new cheese. Eventually, Haw discovered a vast cache of wonderful, new cheese at Cheese Station N. As Haw relaxed, enjoying his find of delicious cheese, he reflected on the change that had occurred in his own life. He also understood that if he was not careful, he could easily become complacent and unexpectedly run out of cheese again. And, so, Haw determined that he would do whatever was necessary to avoid being surprised by unexpected change.

I remember well when I was last caught by unexpected change. A little over a year ago, I was promoted out of the ranks to a supervisory position. I suppose I was being naïve, but it never occurred to me that my co-workers would be green with envy. My former "friends" wouldn't even speak to me! The very day after my promotion was announced, I found that there were several closed-door discussions where they had gone individually to my supervisor to complain about the promotion. And then I did the unforgivable. I was well aware that my former friends, now employees, were not accomplishing the work that they were assigned. I decided that I would require daily activity reports from them, that I would inspect their work daily, and that I would hold them accountable if they did not accomplish what was expected of them. The thing that I was asking of my employees (meet the organizations expectations of them) was something I was accomplishing for years. I knew that they were all capable of the same thing, but now they became angry with me because I was requiring it of them. Essentially, I was moving their cheese, and they didn't like it.

Well, it's been about 14 months now. Things have settled down quite a bit. The old relationships will never be the same, but they've finally accepted the fact that I'm their supervisor. The interesting thing is that when I accepted my new role as supervisor, my cheese moved, too. The buddy-buddy relationships were no longer there. Those relationships had existed for many years, and I missed them. After reading this book, I realized that my cheese had moved and that I wanted my cheese back...but that was impossible. Now, I had to go out and find new cheese for myself. At first it was hard. I was able to go out and search for new cheese when I accepted the inevitable. The relationships had changed, and they would never be the same. Accepting that truth has freed me from the hurt that I experienced, gave me the courage and strength to carry on, and has helped me to become a supervisor who is both effective and understanding. Thank you, Spencer Johnson, for putting my plight into words.

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Summary: Better than Provolone
Review: Who Moved My Cheese is already a business classic that shows people how to effectively deal with change. Although, small, Who Moved My Cheese is jam packed with powerful, useful information. It is like a small piece of cheese that fills you like a large piece of provolone.

Highly recommended to anyone who is wondering how to deal with the changing times.

Other books that will help include Awaken The Giant by Anthony Robbins, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr. Stephen Covey and Super Self by Charles J. Givens, most overlooked and most copied self development book out there.

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Summary: Different . . . yeah . . .okay
Review: We were actually required to read this book where I work. At the time I thought the request and the book were stupid, but after I finished it and started thinking about it, it made sense. And I have to say that it was more than a little helpful when dealing with my co-workers. Food for thought--that sort of thing.

Of all the "help" books out there, this one is probably the best I've come across, and I stopped reading many of them years ago. Overall I'd recommend this book.

Also recommend: You can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay, The Da Vinci Code by Brown, and Bark of the Dogwood by McCrae

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Summary: A very unique book on dealing with change
Review: When I first read this book, I felt like I just wasted my money. Why? Because after seeing this book on the NY Times best-seller list for months, I figured that this most be SOME BOOK on how to deal with change.

But after reading it I was shocked! There is nothing outstanding about this book! How did this get to the top of the list and how did it stay there?

The answer hit me when about a week later I had to deal with change (some trivial change) and I was holding myself back. I remembered the tale in the story. I didn't want to be that wimpy mouse that resisted change and I bet you don't want to be him either. However most of us resist change. We get into our comfort zone and we like to stay there. But to be successful we need to grow. And to GROW we need to stretch. And stretching means to go OUT of our comfort zone and explore new territories.

As a life coach I frequently talk to people about dealing with change. Many a time, I find myself telling them - did you ever hear of Who Moved My Cheese?

Maybe this books message-too embrace change-is something that we need to hear, and therefore it became a best seller. What do you think?

Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated

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Summary: Humans are mice and cheese? Not.
Review: Someone is making actual dollars selling this crap? Actually, that is the only good thing about this book. It encourages me to write my own book, 'Who moved my keys,' an engrossing story about two aardvarks and two humans who lose their. . . you guessed it, their keys. I include a battle scene to spice up this self-help book. Believe me it changes them forever.

I'm trying to picture the authors sitting around and hatching plans to unleash this pint size cheese book to the public. Where did they get the idea of mice and cheese? From the dirty floor? From the Bugs Bunny and Road Runner hour? I'm almost frightened to find out.

The whole plot is preposterous and the characters are just plain silly. It starts with two mice and two little people content with their cheese until someone moves it. The mice seek out new cheese and the little folk have to learn a lesson about change in their lives. Ewwwwwww . . how enchanting!!! (Maybe if yummy cheesecake was moved the "humans" would have bolted after it). Cheese is. . .well. . .you know. . .cheese.

The characters names are also catchy and are supposed to serve as a constant reminder of who they are. Drum roll please . . .and here they are . . .. Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw. I suppose we are supposed to relate these characters to people we know in real life. Now I have a bunch of cheese lovers calling me Hem behind my back or on a good day
* Sniff *.

I see people at work with this book on their desk. I actually read the entire book while standing up at the bookstore. At least my misery was short-lived .

I've been in the change management business for a long time and a short, brainless little book isn't going to make anyone change. I'm sure there are workshops going on in major corporations right now, focused on the adventures of Sniff and the gang, with his moving cheese. Some pointy haired manager is making it required reading, along with that other great management book, the one-minute manager. Remember anything about that gem?

Is it cute at least? Well I found some dead mice twirling around in the pool filter and I never once thought they were cute. I even put them beside some smelly cheese and they are down right repulsive.

It will not change you. Not a teensy-weensy bit.

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Summary: Who moved my cheese?
Review: This book was one of the best that i have read. This books helps you deal with changes in your work and in your life. The book narrates a story about four mice Sniff,Scurry,Hem,and Haw. These mice have different attitudes which help you understand why they react to changes they way they do. I am Hem and wait until something happens before i actually do something about it. I learned that you have to look out for hints that tell you changes are coming and respond to them. I would recommend people to read it if they are having trouble coping with changes in their lives. Who moves your cheese?

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Summary: My Cheese??
Review: "Who moved my cheese", interesting fable like reading, but with a lesson taught no so clear. You are reading this book, because somebody told you to do so. Suddenly you start to have "that feeling...", "that has happen to me... I am like...", (this book has been written to create that reaction) you, finally accept that this is a great book, and it taught you how "you must act from now on" if you want something in your life.

It could be classified as a "great book", but no for its content, the story is really short, written in a plane and excessively simplistic format, and the comments that follow the story are really too much, almost an insult to the reader giving explanations of "the story". Yes, great maybe because the technique used from the author to write this book, no to teach a lesson (you might think that), but to introduce you to the basics of the heard mentality. It is good to have a motivational reading and/or a reading to coach people to work in a positive environment, but a lecture that for the inattentive reader who already fell in the game of identifying him/her self with a character from the story, looks empowering, but it really is pushing you to think in the way that the author wants.

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Summary: A must read in these volatile times
Review: Who Moved My Cheese was given to me by my roommate (who saw the anxiety in me during the recession). Dr. Johnson uses four characters, Sniff, Scurry, Hem, and Haw to illustrate the importance of adaptability. We all have a little of each in us and the ultimate goal is to transition to Haw. Haw learns to adapt in time when he sees change leads to something better. The four characters are stuck in a maze looking for cheese. Maze represents our organization or community. Cheese represents the goal we seek or something we hate to loose. Dr Johnson emphasizes six main points through various scenarios. First, change is inevitable. Second, we should anticipate change. Third, change should be continuously monitored. In the story, the mice smelled the cheese often to gauge whether it was getting old. Fourth, we should adapt to change quickly. Fifth, we should incorporate change in our lives so that we would not be surprised in the future. Sixth, we should try to enjoy change to bring about a sense of personal well-being. Regardless of ones background, every person who wants to build on his/her change management skills will get something out of this book. I am purchasing copies for my friends. Who Moved My Cheese makes for an enjoyable weekend reading.

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Summary: The reality of the matter is that....
Review: You can make money or you can make excuses, you can't make both. The reality of the matter is that we are in a ever changing world. The more we can bend, flex and adjust to that change, the better off we will all be.Many businesses have fallen by the wayside because they couldn't adjust to change. They were not adaptable.Many employees are out of work because they cld not adapt or adjust.Some people prefer to blame others. They say that "It's not fair." Or "It's not my fault." EXCUSE ME! You need to become autonymous---take total responsibility. Become self reliant. It's not your employer. It's not your coworkers. It's not the economy. It's you and I. We must take responsbiity. Become self reliant.The reality is that it is all up to you. You can adapt and adjust or be left behind. It is all up to you. This book explains the importance of change.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF 1 STAR REVIEWS, OBVIOUSLY SOME PEOPLE PREFER TO BE IRRESPONSIBLE AND BLAME OTHERS.Your choice. I prefer to be self directed and self reliant and take responsibility.HOW ABOUT YOU?Good book. Highly recommended.

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Summary: Eat My Cheese, Please
Review: Book Critique

Before I start, I just want to make it clear that these are my opinions, based on very personal experiences. I am quite sure that there are those who will be offended by what I have to say about this book, as I am sure there are those who actually thought enough of it to recommend it to others to enjoy (or else, why would it be a bestseller?). I am also certain that others have learned from Dr. Johnson; some may have even been inspired. As for me, I have found another reason to strengthen my conviction that inspirational publications need to be avoided at all costs. I give this book 4 "eye rolls" and a sneer.

I find the obvious metaphorical references to "cheese" and "writings on the wall", frankly, completely lacking in literary creativity. It was like watching a movie with a very obvious twist foreshortened in every fade-out. It was very hard for me to get past such sentimentalities as "weakened by one's own fears" and the value of "laughing at oneself". If the Haw character laughed at himself one more time (and please, "Haw"? - do I need a pin to touch my eyeball to realize it could hurt?), his life would literally be one big joke. The prologue and epilogue with the group of old high school friends were like scenes from a bad after-school feature (Screech, are you there?). But so much for its literary value; let us look at Dr. Johnson's "great truths".

If you are working within any organization, hopelessly influenced by a market economy, under the will of an established internal structure anywhere in the world and still have no idea how to successfully maneuver around change, this book is, by no means, what you need to get you out of your predicament. Yes, Virginia, life is not fair and you will always have to deal with forces beyond your control. Did your scout master forget to teach you to "be prepared"? And, if you are still wallowing in your troubles; sitting around while others around you are moving on - ask your doctor about SSRIs.

A little cynical, you might say? Sure - but I will concede that the book gives cutesy alternatives to admitting things about one's organization that may otherwise be a little too uncomfortable to handle "head-on". Instead of a hostile take-over, let's just say "someone moved our cheese". Let's call someone "Hem" instead of that "useless son of a gun". And while we are at it, let's "laugh at ourselves" instead of admitting defeat and strategizing.

There was one point worth mentioning. I will admit that "a change imposed is a change opposed" is a good adage - I may not have used such a corny phrase, but this is a principle that I try to live by. People just do not want to be told what to do. And when one is trying to manage physicians, it would be best to keep this in mind. Of course, one could always spread the word by buying more of Dr. Johnson's books and distributing free copies at Christmas. It wouldn't hurt the good doctor's finances, either. That last page in the book was little more than a thinly veiled marketing ploy.

Am I just a bit miffed? Of course I am! I grew up in a world where people are born into and die in abject poverty, often in spite of the best efforts to rise above their lot in life. Fathers die and children wake up without a roof over their heads; mothers and sisters forced into prostitution. I have had to learn the nuances of a language my parents did not master, ignore the instincts of my native culture, and succeed in a society that has told me I am not fit to be called a "creature of God" ( my apologies for the dramatic license). Outside U.S. borders, sometimes, when the cheese is moved, there is no other cheese to be found.