Who Moved My Cheese? Summary

The book emphasizes that change is a natural part of life and is inevitable. It is essential to accept that things will not always stay the same.

Successful individuals and organizations anticipate and prepare for change. Instead of being caught off guard, develop a mindset that expects and embraces change.

People react to change differently. The characters in the story represent different approaches to change, from immediate acceptance to resistance and fear.

" Each of us has our own idea of what cheese is, and we pursue it because we believe it makes us happy. If we get it, we often become attached to it. And if we lose it, or if it's taken away, it can be traumatic."

- Who moved my Cheese?, By Dr. Spencer Johnson

1. Change keeps happening - Accept it.
2. Be ready for changes, be open to changes. Humans tend to overcomplicate things with their many beliefs and views about the world.
3. Let go of ego, and the arrogance of owning something. Go with the flow of life.
4. Keep moving as "The Cheese" keeps moving.
5. Let go of fear and expectations of what the destination might be, enjoy the journey!

Each one must identify what he wants from this life .

What brings you comfort and safety ?

Change is always bound to happen, sooner or later. Instead of fooling yourself that things will stay the same forever, always keep an eye open for change.

When you start pursuing your goal, it’s natural to feel more distant from those who don’t share your vision. It’s all right, be aware that this is part of the process.

Change comes in different forms, it can be a getting a new job, leaving school or even a change in lifestyle due to money constraints but what's important is that we don't dwell in the past and move forward to accept the change .

Speaking from personal experience dwelling on the past can hinder you from looking forward so it will be best to put your memories away as a part of your life and your new memories as a new part in life.

To anyone who might have difficulty moving forward use these tips

*Try taking small steps , this can be anything from socializing with your colleagues to taking small walks in your neighborhood to get used to your new home .

* Try not to remember your old life when doing something routine like remembering how you used to drive an expensive car while taking the morning commute instead try to listen to music on the train or the bus or just listen to a audiobook

Life throws changes regularly. All that it matters is do you stick to comfort zone or do you adapt.

HAVING CHEESE MAKES YOU HAPPY.

There are several ocassions to have had comfortable days. That's your cheese. Recognise it, rejoice and relish.

Beware, every piece of cheese is temporary. It moves, changes, disappearsor just gets over.

*If we will repeat the same thing, we will never improve*.

If you do not change, you will become extinct”.

Comfort zone, being in rejoiced state is all we need in life, but cruel truth is it doesn't matter you grow. While we are in rejoicing state, we don't want change because either we don't want to let go or we pessimistically think what stores ahead might be horrible!

Why let go when I am uncertain.

That's exactly is the point of reflection.

Who moved my cheese is an amusing and enlightening story of 4 characters who live in a maze and look for cheese to nourish them and make them happy.

Cheese is a metaphor for what you want to have in life - good job, money, health, a loving relationship etc.

And the maze is where you look for what you want - an organisation you work in, or the family or community you live in.

There are 4 protagonists in this story with their respective characteristics that resemble the simple and the complex behaviours that are a part of all of us :-

1. Sniff - Predicts change early

2. Scurry - Hurries into action

3. Hem - Denies and resists change as he fears it will lead to something worse

4. Haw - Learns to adapt in time when he sees changing can lead to something better

“Imagining yourself enjoying the new cheese leads you to achieve it.”

But don’t only imagine enjoying the cheese only, imagine enjoying the process of getting that too.

“Sooner you get rid of old cheese, sooner you get new cheese.”

Sometimes, success gets in our head and we stop improving ourselves. It's important to keep redefining our success to move on from old success and achieve new heights.

Here are 21 lessons I learned from "Who Moved My Cheese?": 

1. Make things simple and take more actions rather than analyzing past situations 

2. Try new things and take a risk 

3. Always be at the top of your game and be ready for change 

4. Never settle, always have options 

5. There is no security in life 

6. You choose your own happiness

7. Never loose yourself to others, always be you

8. Just cause you had it yesterday, doesn't mean you have it today

9. Yesterday's win is today's ego streak

10. Always be present to what's happening in your environment

11. The world does not owe you anything

12. Explore new places and environments to find the gems of life

13. You will die all alone if you don't take risk

14. Life is super easy when you are flexible and open

15. Visualise living the best life ever

Helps to manage the changes in work environment...