Who
Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your
Life, published in 1998, is a motivational book by Spencer Johnson written in
the style of a parable or business fable. It describes change in one's work and
life, and four typical reactions to said change by two mice and two
"littlepeople", during their hunt for cheese. A New York Times
business bestseller since release, Who Moved My Cheese? remained on the list
for almost five years and spent over 200 weeks on Publishers Weekly's hardcover
nonfiction list. It has sold more than 26 million copies worldwide in 37
languages and remains to be one of the best-selling business books.Synopsis
Allegorically, Who Moved My Cheese? features four characters: two mice, "Sniff" and "Scurry," and two littlepeople, miniature humans in essence, "Hem" and "Haw." They live in a maze, a representation of one's environment, and look for cheese, representative of happiness and success. Initially without cheese, each group, the mice and humans, paired off and traveled the lengthy corridors searching for cheese. One day both groups happen upon a cheese-filled corridor at "Cheese Station C". Content with their find, the humans establish routines around their daily intake of cheese, slowly becoming arrogant in the process.
One
day Sniff and Scurry arrive at Cheese Station C to find no cheese left, but
they are not surprised. Noticing the cheese supply dwindling, they have
mentally prepared beforehand for the arduous but inevitable task of finding
more cheese. Leaving Cheese Station C behind, they begin their hunt for new
cheese together. Later that day, Hem and Haw arrive at Cheese Station C only to
find the same thing, no cheese. Angered and annoyed, Hem demands, "Who
moved my cheese?" The humans have counted on the cheese supply to be
constant, and so are unprepared for this eventuality. After deciding that the
cheese is indeed gone they get angry at the unfairness of the situation and
both go home starved. Returning the next day, Hem and Haw find the same
cheeseless place. Starting to realize the situation at hand, Haw thinks of a
search for new cheese. But Hem is dead set in his victimized mindset and
dismisses the proposal.
Meanwhile,
Sniff and Scurry have found "Cheese Station N", new cheese. Back at
Cheese Station C, Hem and Haw are affected by their lack of cheese and blame
each other for their problem. Hoping to change, Haw again proposes a search for
new cheese. However, Hem is comforted by his old routine and is frightened
about the unknown. He knocks the idea again. After a while of being in denial,
the humans remain without cheese. One day, having discovered his debilitating
fears, Haw begins to chuckle at the situation and stops taking himself so
seriously. Realizing he should simply move on, Haw enters the maze, but not
before chiseling "If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct" on
the wall of Cheese Station C for his friend to ponder.
Still
fearful of his trek, Haw jots "What Would You Do If You Weren't
Afraid?" on the wall and, after thinking about that, he begins his
venture. Still plagued with worry (perhaps he has waited too long to begin his
search...), Haw finds some bits of cheese that nourishes him and he is able to
continue his search. Haw realizes that the cheese has not suddenly vanished,
but has dwindled from continual eating. After a stop at an empty cheese
station, Haw begins worrying about the unknown again. Brushing aside his fears,
Haw's new mindset allows him to again enjoy life. He has even begun to smile
again! He is realizing that "When you move beyond your fear, you feel
free." After another empty cheese station, Haw decides to go back for Hem
with the few bits of new cheese he has managed to find.
Uncompromising,
Hem refuses the new cheese, to his friend's disappointment. With knowledge
learned along the way, Haw heads back into the maze. Getting deeper into the
maze, inspired by bits of new cheese here and there, Haw leaves a trail of
writings on the wall ("The Handwriting On the Wall"). These clarify
his own thinking and give him hope that his friend will find aid in them during
his search for new cheese. Still traveling, Haw one day comes across Cheese
Station N, abundant with cheese, including some varieties that are strange to
him, and he realizes he has found what he is looking for. After eating, Haw
reflects on his experience. He ponders a return to see his old friend. But Haw
decides to let Hem find his own way. Finding the largest wall in Cheese Station
N, he writes:
v Change Happens
They Keep Moving The Cheese
v Anticipate Change
Get Ready For The Cheese To Move
v Monitor Change
Smell The Cheese Often So You
Know When It Is Getting Old
v Adapt To Change Quickly
The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese, The
Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese
v Change
Move With The Cheese
v Enjoy Change!
Savor The Adventure And Enjoy
The Taste Of New Cheese!
v Be Ready To Change Quickly And Enjoy It
Again
They Keep Moving The Cheese.
Cautious
from past experience, Haw now inspects Cheese Station N daily and explores
different parts of the maze regularly to prevent any complacency from setting
in. After hearing movement in the maze one day, Haw realizes someone is
approaching the station. Unsure, Haw hopes that it is his friend Hem who has
found the way.
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