Who moved my cheese by Spencer Johnson: How To Use Cheese To Free Your Mind

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About the Author

Spencer Johnson, MD, is one of the most beloved authors and respected thought leaders in the world. His books have become embedded in our language and culture.

Called “The King of Parables” by USA Today, Dr. Johnson is often referred to as the best there is at taking complex subjects and presenting simple solutions that work. His brief books contain valuable insights and practical tools that millions of people use to enjoy more happiness and success with less stress.

His thirteen New York Times bestsellers include the #1 titles, Who Moved My Cheese, An A-Mazing Way To Deal With Change, and The One Minute Manager ®, The World’s Most Popular Way To Manage Your Work and Life, coauthored with Ken Blanchard.

In a time when many have learned to be skeptical of simplistic answers, readers around the world have found the simple truths in Spencer Johnson’s parables to be invaluable.

Source: http://spencerjohnson.com/books/

Click here to buy on The Book Depository

https://www.bookdepository.com/Who-Moved-My-Cheese/9780091816971/?a_aid=stephsbookshelf

About the book

Most people are fearful of change, both personal and professional, because they don’t have any control over how or when it happens to them. Since change happens either to the individual or by the individual, Dr. Spencer

Johnson, the coauthor of the multimillion bestseller The One Minute Manager, uses a deceptively simple story to show that when it comes to living in a rapidly changing world, what matters most is your attitude.

Exploring a simple way to take the fear and anxiety out of managing the future, Who Moved My Cheese? can help you discover how to anticipate, acknowledge, and accept change in order to have a positive impact on your job, your relationships, and every aspect of your life.

Source: www.amazon.com

Links

http://spencerjohnson.com/books/

BIG IDEA 1 (5:56) – Cheese is not guaranteed. 

The two mice, Sniff, Scurry, and two little people, Hem and Haw all like cheese. They knew that cheese station C, in the maze where they live, had cheese. Because the cheese supply had been so reliable for a long time, Hem and Haw got pretty comfortable and moved closer to the cheese stations, they also stopped their ‘searching’ routine – turning up later and later to the station, safe in the knowledge that the cheese would be there waiting for them.

Until one day, the cheese was not there, it was gone. Sniff and Scurry were there first because they had maintained their searching routine so carried on around the maze until they found some new cheese. Meanwhile Hem and Haw, who turned up late, were disgusted that the cheese were not there. They felt it was unfair because they felt it was theirs and that it would always be there. The little mice noticed earlier that the cheese supply was getting smaller so they expected that this would happen eventually. 

BIG IDEA 2 (8:14) – Status quo breeds fear. 

The more comfortable you become, the less you learn and try new things. Hem and Haw spent days trying to figure out what happened to the cheese and why it disappeared rather than looking for new cheese. They realised they were out of habit of trying new things and exploring when they started looking for new cheese. The maze they looked different and scary. But it wasn’t, they were just not used to exploring and putting themselves out there. The fear started to take over them.

BIG IDEA 3 (9:49) – Movement in the new direction helps you find new cheese. 

Movement allows you to visualise yourself finding and enjoying new cheese. Hem and Haw later on realised that the pursuit of the new cheese could actually be fun. However, Hem thought he didn’t like the new cheese. He’d rather stay hungry and attached to the idea of the old cheese because he felt it was safer than trying out something new.

They also realised that earlier is better; in future they shouldn’t wait until they’re cheeseless before moving in a new direction. New beliefs drive new behaviour. Nobody can change for you – you have to make the movement and change for yourself to move in a new direction and grow the courage to keep exploring.

Music By:  Cheesecake – No Backing Vocals Song by Ian Post

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