Who Moved My Cheese? By Spencer Johnson

This is an easy to read, self-help book. I’m not usually into self-help books but a coworker suggested it to me because of recent changes at work. The book is short, quick, eye-opening, and inspirational if you are looking for a change. I would recommend Who Moved My Cheese? if you are trying to deal with a sudden change in your life.

Book Stats

Who Moved My Cheese? Plot Summary

The book breaks down into 3 main parts. The first, A Gathering, is about a group of former classmates who meet up to discuss the difficult changes in their lives since graduating. The second is the main purpose of the book, the Who Moved My Cheese? narrative. The third part, A Discussion, is the former classmates chatting about Who moved my Cheese? and what it meant to them.

The main point of the story deals with two mice and two tiny humans who live in a maze. They have to run the maze every day to find cheese. One day they find a lot of cheese and the tiny humans grow comfortable and decide to make this new place their home, while the mice remain alert. Then one day the cheese is gone and the story shows how each individual reacts and deals with the sudden change.

Initial Thoughts

Parts one and three are not my favorites because they seemed forced and I don’t need a mock discussion to interpret the story for me. But Who Moved My Cheese? is for all ages and I understand how that can be helpful to some.

Part two shows four typical reactions to sudden change. Sniff and Scurry, the two mice, were able to move on quickly when the cheese disappeared because they stayed alert. Also, they were always aware of their surroundings and were prepared for the worst outcome. While the two humans, Hem and Haw, were caught off guard. Hem and Haw also had a difficult time letting go of their anger towards whoever moved their cheese.

I don’t want to go into too much detail because if you are interested in reading the story, it will be much better reading the actual book for yourself. But here are a few of my favorite quotes and what they mean to me.

Favorite Quotes

“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”

-Spencer Johnson, Who Moved My Cheese?

“He realized he had been held captive by his own fear. Moving in a direction freed him.”

-Spencer Johnson, Who Moved My Cheese?

“He wondered why he had always thought that a change would lead to something worse. Now he realized that change could lead to something better.”

-Spencer Johnson, Who Moved My Cheese?

“What you are afraid of is never as bad as what you imagine.”

-Spencer Johnson, Who Moved My Cheese?

My Interpretation of the Quotes

I am the worst about working things up in my own head. I get so wrapped up about what could go wrong, that I tend to overlook what could go right. Almost always, after doing something that I was initially anxious about, I realize it wasn’t as bad as I thought.  Also, I usually feel better once I make a decision and start moving toward it. I knew most of these things before I read this book but it was a nice reminder to keep practicing them. Another one of my favorite quotes is:

“No one could do it for him or talk him into it. He had to see the advantage of changing for himself.”

-Spencer Johnson, Who Moved My Cheese?

It doesn’t matter how plainly you can see it, how much advice you give, or even how much you beg, a person will not change until they see the need to change. If a person is set in their ways, then there is nothing anyone can do or say to get them to sway their thoughts. This is another that I struggle with sometimes because I just want what’s best for my friends and family.

What I see as best for them isn’t always going to be what they think is best for them. I can’t talk them into something they don’t want to do. The only thing I can do is be there for them and support them even if that’s not what I would do in their situation. I am sure they feel the same way about me at times too. Everyone is different and will do what they think is best for them and their situation. Hopefully, fear isn’t holding them back from changing.

Final Feelings

This story is mostly designed to deal with change at work but can be applied to personal life as well, like with relationships. Overall, I give Who Moved My Cheese? 3 stars. Like I said earlier, I’m not a fan of self-help books but it seemed appropriate to read with the changes going on at my work. I think this book could give someone the push they need to make a change for the better. It also reminded me sometimes I can take life too seriously and it’s okay to stop and laugh every once in a while.

How do you feel about self-help books? Has one ever helped you deal with a situation?