Spencer Johnson is known for his 1998 motivational book- Who Moved my Cheese? A Motivational speaker and Medical Consultant, Spencer seeks to describe change in peoples’ work and life in that award winning book.
The story in this book is centred on four characters- two mice, "Sniff" and "Scurry", and two little people, “Hem" and "Haw" as well as their respective reactions to change. They lived in a maze, a representation of our environment, and looked for cheese, representing happiness and success. Initially without cheese, each group, the mice and humans paired off, travel the lengthy corridor searching for cheese. One day both groups chanced upon a cheese-filled corridor in "Cheese Station C". They were delighted at their discovery and soon established routines around their daily intake of cheese slowly becoming arrogant in the process.
One day Sniff and Scurry arrived at Cheese Station C to find no cheese left but they were not surprised. Noticing the cheese supply was dwindling, they had mentally prepared themselves for the arduous, but inevitable task of finding more cheese beforehand. They left Cheese Station C behind and began their hunt for new cheese together. Later that day, Hem and Haw arrived at Cheese Station C only to find the same thing, no cheese. Angered and annoyed, Hem demanded "who moved my cheese?" Unprepared, the humans had counted on the cheese supply to be constant. After verifying that the cheese was indeed gone and ranting at the unfairness of the situation, both headed home hungry. Returning the next day, Hem and Haw found the same cheeseless station. Realising the gravity of the situation at hand, Haw proposed a search for new cheese, but Hem, dead set in his victimized mindset, punctured the proposal.
In the meantime, Sniff and Scurry had found "Cheese Station N", a new supply of cheese. Back at Cheese Station C, Hem and Haw, affected by their lack of cheese; blame each other for their predicament. Hoping to change, Haw again proposes a search for new cheese. Hem however, comforted by his old routine and afraid of the unknown, again discarded the idea. After many days in denial, including a search for cheese behind the wall of Cheese Station C, the humans remained without cheese. One day, realizing his debilitating fear, Haw began laughing at the situation. Realizing he should move on, Haw entered the maze, but not before chiseling "If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct" on the wall of Cheese Station C for his friend to ponder.
Still fearful of his trek, Haw scribbled "What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?" on the wall and, after thinking about it, began his journey. Still with worry, perhaps he had waited too long to begin his search, Haw found some scattered cheese and continued his search. Slowly losing his denial, Haw realised that the cheese had not suddenly disappeared, but had dwindled from continual eating, and that the older cheese was not as tasty and had been moldy. After a let down, an empty cheese station, Haw began worrying about the unknown again. Brushing aside his fears, Haw's new mindset allowed him to again enjoy life; he had even begun to smile again and was realizing "when you move beyond your fear, you feel free." After another empty cheese station, Haw decided to go back for Hem with the few bits of new cheese he has managed to find.
Uncompromising, Hem turned away the new cheese to his friend's dismay. With knowledge acquired along the way, Haw headed back into the maze. Still going deeper into the maze, impelled by bits of new cheese here and there, Haw left a trail of writings on the wall, hopeful that his friend would be aided by them in his search for new cheese. Still traveling, Haw one day came across Cheese Station N abundant with cheese, some varieties strange to him; he had found what he was looking for. After eating, Haw reflected on his experience. Pondering a return to his old friend, Haw decided to let Hem find his own way. Finding the largest wall in Cheese Station N, he wrote:
Change Happens (The Cheese keeps changing position)
Anticipate Change (Get Ready For The Cheese To Move)
Monitor Change (Smell The Cheese Often So You Know When It Is Getting Old)
Adapt To Change Quickly (The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese, The Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese)
Change (Move With The Cheese)
Enjoy Change! (Savour The Adventure And Enjoy The Taste Of New Cheese!)
Be Ready To Change Quickly And Enjoy It Again & Again (They Keep Moving The Cheese.)
Indeed, Change can be a blessing; it can also be a curse! It will be a blessing if we understand the nature of cheese and the role it plays in our lives. Like Sniff and Scurry, some of us are non-analytical and nonjudgmental. We just want cheese and are willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Some others are however like Hem and Haw the "little people," they 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.
How do you perceive the “cheese”? What do you make of your job and your career path? How quickly are you adapting to change? These are mind tickling questions you alone can answer; and as you do, may I wish you a happy and more productive Labour life time.
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