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

Product Description

Who Moved My Cheese? is a simple parable that reveals profound truths about change. It is an amusing and enlightening story of four characters who live in a "Maze" and look for "Cheese" to nourish them and make them happy.

Two are mice named Sniff and Scurry. And two are "little people" -- beings the size of mice who look and act a lot like people. Their names are Hem and Haw.

"Cheese" is a metaphor for what you want to have in life -- whether it is a good job, a loving relationship, money, a possession, health, or spiritual peace of mind.

And "The Maze" is where you look for what you want -- the organization you work in, or the family or community you live in.

In the story, the characters are faced with unexpected change. Eventually, one of them deals with it successfully, and writes what he has learned from his experience on the maze walls.

When you come to see "The Handwriting on the Wall," you can discover for yourself how to deal with change, so that you can enjoy less stress and more success (however you define it) in your work and in your life.

Written for all ages, the story takes less than an hour to listen to, but its unique insights can last for a lifetime.

Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #165 in Books
Published on: 1998-09-08
Number of items: 1
Binding: Hardcover
96 pages
Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Change can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your perspective. The message of Who Moved My Cheese? is that all can come to see it as a blessing, if they understand the nature of cheese and the role it plays in their lives. Who Moved My Cheese? is a parable that takes place in a maze. Four beings live in that maze: Sniff and Scurry are mice--nonanalytical and nonjudgmental, they just want cheese and are willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Hem and Haw are "littlepeople," mouse-size humans who have an entirely different relationship with cheese. It's not just sustenance to them; it's their self-image. Their lives and belief systems are built around the cheese they've found. Most of us reading the story will see the cheese as something related to our livelihoods--our jobs, our career paths, the industries we work in--although it can stand for anything, from health to relationships. The point of the story is that we have to be alert to changes in the cheese, and be prepared to go running off in search of new sources of cheese when the cheese we have runs out.

Dr. Johnson, coauthor of The One Minute Manager and many other books, presents this parable to business, church groups, schools, military organizations--anyplace where you find people who may fear or resist change. And although more analytical and skeptical readers may find the tale a little too simplistic, its beauty is that it sums up all natural history in just 94 pages: Things change. They always have changed and always will change. And while there's no single way to deal with change, the consequence of pretending change won't happen is always the same: The cheese runs out. --Lou Schuler

From Library Journal
This is a brief tale of two mice and two humans who live in a maze and one day are faced with change: someone moves their cheese. Reactions vary from quick adjustment to waiting for the situation to change by itself to suit their needs. This story is about adjusting attitudes toward change in life, especially at work. Change occurs whether a person is ready or not, but the author affirms that it can be positive. His principles are to anticipate change, let go of the old, and do what you would do if you were not afraid. Listeners are still left with questions about making his or her own specific personal changes. Capably narrated by Tony Roberts, this audiotape is recommended for larger public library collections.AMark Guyer, Stark Cty. Dist. Lib., Canton, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
Over and over listeners are subjected to one self-help lecture after another. WHO MOVED MY CHEESE? is different! Listeners learn invaluable life lessons about "change" by way of a humorous parable narrated by Tony Roberts. His memorable interpretation of two mice and two tiny people caught in a maze (life's many paths) searching for cheese (a metaphor for your heart's desire) is gratifying and good fun. Hem and Haw, the tiny people, emulate us humans with all our faults, fears and frustrations. Roberts provides them with distinct personalities that mimic many stressed-out individuals we have grown to know. Overcoming stress and discovering successful living is the goal, and Roberts takes the listener on a curious and offbeat journey to discover the path. B.J.P. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Customer Reviews

Are You a Man or a Mouse?
Sometimes, simple examples, using animals help us to see things more clearly about ourselves. Such is the case with this story told of 4 "mice" who constantly yearn for their "cheese". It is very easy to see the parallels with regard to our own lives and how we deal with the obstacles set before us. Even more telling is the illustration of the different ways we, as humans, deal with change. This book is a fast read, probably less than an hour, and will stimulate your thinking for a long time after. Like me, you will immediately want to share it with someone you care about.

Amusing interpretations!
I'm laughing as I read the reviews for this book. The intrepretations pretty much cover the gamut. I see not where some get the impression this book poses an image of the giant corporate pressing thumb telling you to get used to change or die. I enjoyed the book somewhat although I agree it's everything we, who are of at least average intelligence, already knew and ponder on a daily basis. The best message for me in this book is something I've been hammering into my brain endlessly for the past few years, so far, with no results. The line reads, "We keep doing the same things over and over again and wonder why things don't get better." We all need to absorb that.The second most powerfull message in this reading to me is to pay attention to what's going on around you. Some of us are blind to the inevitable.
Cheers,
Phil Vanderloo

If read when you're in the midst of a significant change this could be useful
This story has been touted by many managers, coworkers and corporate professionals as a life changing read (I afraid to imagine the kind of life they were living for this book to have that kind of impact!). After finally getting around to reading it, I can't dispute that it's a valuable story with good advice about managing change in a way that is beneficial to one's well being; however, the sheer simplicity of the story was a bit annoying to me. There is nothing earth shattering or incredibly insightful in this story for the seasoned professional or emotionally connected individual but kids may learn a lesson or two from a couple of the rats in this story about taking initiative (there was truly no need for the author to write special editions of this book for kids and teens). In fact, I've passed this along to my six year old nephew; I can't wait to hear what he thinks about it! I'm certain that the ease with which this story can be read will go a long way in connecting with people who spend more time Hemming and Hawing when faced with change in their lives than Sniffing out new opportunities and Scurrying to get them. With that simplistic (and yes a little sickening, but see what could happen to the brain when exposed to this tale!) use of pun I'll call this review a wrap and find a more intellectually engaging read to busy myself with.