6 Learnings About Change from Who Moved My Cheese by Dr Spencer Johnson

Our natural human reaction to comfort, or perceived comfort, is to protect it and hang onto it. Even as that comfort starts to erode we are inclined to ignore the obvious and cling on to what we know. Spencer Johnson has written a very short book that explores how and why we should address change in our lives. Cheese is a metaphor for "What we want in life", whether that be in personal or professional circumstances.

The one constant we have in life is CHANGE. "If we do not change we can become extinct" and "The quicker we let go of old cheese the sooner we find new cheese". When cheese goes off it smells so keep your sense of smell on alert. This is a compelling fable on the importance of keeping 'change' as a way of life and assent to its core principles.

Fables are a powerful means of getting across a message, and this book is one of the most popular books in this genre and understandably so.

The main lessons about change 

1. Change Happens

They keep moving the cheese.

2. Anticipate Change

Get ready for the cheese to move.

3. Monitor Change

Smell the cheese often so you know when it’s getting old.

4. Adapt To Change Quickly

The quicker you let go of old cheese the sooner you can enjoy new cheese.

5. Change

Move with the cheese.

6. Enjoy Change

Enjoy the taste of new cheese.

My favorite quotes from Who Moved My Cheese by Dr Spencer Johnson

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

“See what you're doing wrong, laugh at it, change, and do better.”

“When you stop being afraid you feel good.”

“The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese.”

“If you do not change, you can become extinct!”

“It is safer to search in the maze than to remain in a cheeseless situation.”

“He knew sometimes some fear can be good. When you are afraid things are going to get worse if you don't do something, it can prompt you into action. But it is not good when you are afraid that it keeps you from doing anything.”

“The fear you let build up in your mind is worse than the situation that actually exists”

“Sometimes, Hem, things change and they are never the same again. This looks like one of those times. That's life! Life moves on. And so should we.”

Image credits: https://www.behance.net/