Book Review: Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life…
Short, sweet, and surprisingly powerful, “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson, is a simple story with a big message: change is going to happen – so how are you going to deal with it?
Set in a whimsical maze, the story features four quirky characters:
- Sniff and Scurry: two mice who rely on instinct and quickly adapt when things change.
- Hem and Haw: two little humans who overthink everything and struggle when their routines are disrupted.
All four of them live in a maze and survive by finding and enjoying cheese, which represents success, happiness, security, or whatever you value most in life. But one day, the cheese disappears – and each character responds differently.
Key Takeaways
1. Change is Inevitable
Whether it’s in your career, relationships, health, or finances, change is coming. The book reminds us that you can’t control everything – but you can control how you respond. The mice accept the new reality and quickly go looking for new cheese. But Hem and Haw panic. Hem refuses to budge, stuck in denial and fear. Haw, after some struggle, realizes he must adapt or be left behind.
2. Don’t Let Fear Paralyze You
One of the biggest lessons is that fear of the unknown keeps people stuck. Haw writes on the maze wall, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” That question pushes him forward – and it’s a great one for anyone facing a scary change in life. When you let go of fear, you make room for growth!
3. The Sooner You Let Go, the Sooner You Can Move On
Haw learns that holding onto the past only brings pain. Once he accepts that the old cheese is gone, he starts to enjoy the adventure of searching for something new. The book encourages us to stop waiting for things to go back to “how they used to be” – and instead, start exploring new possibilities.
4. Keep It Simple and Keep Moving
Sniff and Scurry don’t waste time overthinking. They see the cheese is gone and immediately take action. Their approach reminds us to stay alert, stay flexible, and act quickly when change hits. Sometimes the best way to handle life’s twists is to stop overanalyzing and start moving.
Why This Book is a Game-Changer
At first glance, it might seem like a children’s story. But Who Moved My Cheese? delivers timeless wisdom in a way that’s easy to read and hard to forget. It’s perfect for people going through a transition – whether personal or professional. Anyone facing change … Anyone stuck in fear … Anyone who needs a gentle nudge to stop clinging to the past and start looking for new “cheese” will benefit greatly from this great read!
