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Summary of Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life 

4.6 . 21203 reviews

Short summary

“Who Moved My Cheese?” is a 1998 self-help book by Spencer Johnson. It is a fable for dealing with motivation in the business world, it outlines different changes that happen in an individual’s personal and work lives. It composes these narratives of change in the lives of 4 characters, two mice and two “little people” looking to lay their hands on some block of cheese so they can live happy and healthy lives. Spencer Johnson was an American author and medical doctor who was regarded as one of the greatest visionaries of his time. More than 46 million copies of Spencer Johnson's books are in print globally, in over 47 languages. “The fear you let develop in your mind is much worse than the situation that actually exists.” ~ Spencer Johnson

Table of content

  • Summary of Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life
  • About the author
  • What is Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life about?
  • Who should read Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life
  • Topics in Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life
first key point

Getting too comfortable with the status quo leads to complacency

Listen the first key point
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“Who Moved My Cheese?” starts with 4 characters in search of cheese in a big maze. Sniff and Scurry are rats while Hem and Haw were little people — they are human, but the same size as the rats.

Every day they get up in the morning walking through the corridors of the maze hoping to find their cheese. While the mice acted instinctively, the little people used their more developed brains to reflect on the chosen paths. Still, one day all four found the great station C, packed with cheese.

Since then, the little people started to wake up a little later and calmly get back there, confident that they would have cheese for the rest of their lives. They moved closer to station C, starting a new social life. They felt happy and secure.

The mice, on the other hand, continued waking up early every day, always following the same path. They’d arrive at station C and enthusiastically make an inspection of the cheese to make sure it's in good condition.
The more you value your cheese, the more you want to hold on to it.
From this, we can see a routine in the characters’ lives. They know that the cheese is their comfort source, after all, it’s what they sought. Likewise, identify what’s your cheese.

Cheese is a metaphor for the things you have in life, for instance, a loving relationship, money or possessions, a good job, physical and mental wellbeing. The maze is where you look for what you want, perhaps the company where you work, or the family or community you live in. The problem is that the cheese doesn’t stay on one spot — it keeps moving.

This summary will follow these characters as they face an unexpected change in their search for the block of cheese. Eventually, one of the characters deals with change successfully and narrates the lessons he has learned on the maze walls so we can each learn from them. As you read on, you will learn to avoid getting complacent in your comfort zone by anticipating change.
second key point

Change is inevitable; anticipate it and monitor the situation

Hem and Haw quickly grew accustomed to the new status quo. They would arrive at station C and eat cheese. The little people thought the cheese was a fair reward for all their hard work, so they clung to it as if it were part of their identities.
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third key point

Stop thinking too much about your cheese and start chasing it

fourth key point

Don’t give in to fear, there’s always new cheese to be found; the moment you start moving, things will improve

fifth key point

A well–defined purpose is an essential tool on your journey towards achievement

sixth key point

Understanding the importance of your beliefs will help you keep an open mind

seventh key point

Learn from your journey and help others by sharing your knowledge and experience with them

eighth key point

Conclusion

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What is Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life about?

Who should read Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life

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

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Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.

Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.