Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson

Originally published - 22 Dec 2008 

Updated - 25 Sept, 2024

///

This is my first time writing (blogging) here. I would like to thank Tushar for inviting me to this library.

The ever famous book 'Who Moved My Cheese?' by Dr. Spencer Johnson is a favorite of mine. Instead of telling how to be successful with real life boring stories, Dr. Johnson crafts a wonder full story dealing with four imaginary characters depicted in the story -the mice Sniff and scurry and little people Hem and Haw- who are intended to represent the simple and the complex parts of ourselves. It is story about change that takes place in one's life where four amusing characters look for cheese. Cheese being the metaphor for what we want to have in life whether it is a job or relationship, money, house, freedom, health spiritual peace or even an activity like jogging etc. In the story the 4 characters are searching for cheese. They go in the maze everyday to search for it. One day they find it at cheese station C. They get excited. But we see that the 2 little people get accustomed to it. Instead of their regular routine they reach at the station late. On the other hand the mice are always quick. One day Sniff and Scurry arrive at Cheese Station C to find no cheese left but they are not surprised. 

Noticing the cheese supply decreasing, they have mentally prepared for it, but inevitable task of finding more cheese before hand. Leaving Cheese Station C behind, they begin their hunt for new cheese together. Later that day, Hem and Haw arrive at Cheese Station C only to find the same thing, no cheese. They get shocked on seeing this. They were bewildered and horrified. They had never imagined it to happen Angered and annoyed, Hem demands "who moved my cheese?"...They don’t get adjusted to the change. They keep on wondering the cause for it but are not ready to find new cheese. Meanwhile, Sniff and Scurry have 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 this loss. Hoping to change, Haw again proposes a search for new cheese He realises that they must go into the maze and look for new cheese. Hem disagrees with him. He was comforted in his old routine and did not want to change. Haw goes out and looks for cheese. It takes him time to get used to the surroundings. He writes many quotations on the wall so that Hem ponders on them and if he comes into the maze some day he could find him. One-day haw finds the cheese at cheese station And we are left to wonder if his friend did too. 

A lovely story that will surely enrich one's life. It is short and sweet and has a lovely message.

The site of the book is http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/ (what else would it be called?)

I also blog at Poshin's World. Please do drop by.

I'd like to wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

___

Tushar’s view 

---

“So, who moved my cheese?”

There is something deliciously unsettling about cracking open a book like Who Moved My Cheese and realising within minutes that you have been caught in its snare of simplicity and wit. Written by Dr Spencer Johnson, this book—disguised as a fable about mice and tiny people searching for cheese—sneaks in some of the most crucial lessons on change management. It is like being told a bedtime story with a twist: “Adapt or get left behind.”

Who Moved My Cheese is a manual for survival in a world constantly shifting under our feet. The four central characters—two mice, Sniff and Scurry, and two tiny humans, Hem and Haw—are metaphors for how we all behave when faced with change. And let us be honest, who here hasn’t had their metaphorical cheese moved at some point?

What’s the fuss about *Who Moved My Cheese*?

Let us begin with a little trivia. Who Moved My Cheese sold over 28 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 37 languages. Why does this little 94-page book get so much attention? The answer is simple: it's incredibly relatable. Whether you're an executive at a Fortune 500 company or someone just trying to figure out what to do next in life, this book speaks to every human soul.

At the heart of the book is a parable that represents change—cheese symbolises what we want in life (be it a great job, a happy relationship, or even just peace of mind), and the maze represents the environment we search in to find it. When the cheese is moved, we are left with a choice: adapt, or resist and be left without cheese. 

With these characters and scenarios, Dr Johnson doesn’t just hand you a philosophical debate. He takes you on a journey to pull you into the larger, often uncomfortable, conversation about life’s transitions.

As Kenneth Blanchard says in the book's foreword, "Who Moved My Cheese? takes the mystery out of change and offers an astonishingly simple solution for dealing with it."

How does the story play out?

Picture this: Sniff and Scurry are two diligent mice, while Hem and Haw are two tiny people—all living in a maze, spending their days searching for cheese. One day, they find a massive stash of it in Cheese Station C, but inevitably, the cheese starts to dwindle. 

Sniff and Scurry are the first to notice and immediately move on, searching the maze for new cheese. Hem and Haw, however, are in denial. They bemoan the loss of their precious cheese and refuse to leave the station, stubbornly believing the cheese will return. The remainder of the story focuses on Haw's gradual acceptance of reality as he sets out on a journey to find new cheese, learning key lessons about life along the way. Meanwhile, Hem stays behind, paralysed by fear and an unwillingness to change.

The takeaway? Change happens, whether we like it or not. As Haw writes on the maze wall, "If you do not change, you can become extinct."

Why is this message so powerful?

Change. The one thing in life we can absolutely guarantee, yet it’s the thing we resist the most. In a world that shifts at breakneck speed—where industries evolve overnight, where relationships change and jobs vanish—it is no wonder that Who Moved My Cheese has struck a nerve with readers for over two decades. The story is universally understandable, but more importantly, it offers insight into the psychological struggle we all experience.

The book is particularly relevant today, in the post-pandemic world where millions were forced to confront drastic changes in their work, relationships, and even their very identities. A 2020 survey found that 68% of Americans reported significant changes to their personal lives due to the pandemic, yet many felt unprepared for these changes.

What does the cheese symbolise?

In a word: everything. Your cheese might be your career, your relationship, your health goals, or your sense of stability. The cheese is whatever gives you purpose and satisfaction in life. When that’s taken away or changes, how do you react?

One of the most famous quotes from the book is, “What would you do if you weren't afraid?” Haw scribbles this question on the wall of the maze as he contemplates the paralysis that fear induces in both him and Hem. It's a brilliant, simple line that resonates on multiple levels. Fear is often the biggest obstacle to our own growth, and it’s a fear of change that keeps many people from finding new cheese.

What’s the science behind resisting change?

Research in psychology shows that humans are wired to resist change. The brain is built for efficiency; once it finds a pattern that works, it clings to it. Change represents uncertainty, which can trigger a fight-or-flight response. Studies show that nearly 60% of people resist change at work because of a fear of the unknown or a lack of confidence in their ability to adapt.

But the narrative of Who Moved My Cheese challenges this instinct. Sniff and Scurry aren’t paralysed by their situation—they simply accept the change and move on. Haw, though initially resistant, learns that to survive and thrive, you need to move with the cheese.

How does this book relate to modern businesses?

Take a page from companies like Blockbuster and Kodak, which failed to evolve with the changing landscape of digital innovation. Both businesses held on to their old cheese—Blockbuster clinging to video rentals and Kodak to film photography—and found themselves obsolete. On the other hand, companies like Netflix and Apple embraced change, seeking new cheese and thrived in the new digital age.

A 2019 Forbes survey revealed that 89% of top business executives consider the ability to adapt to change one of the most important leadership traits in today’s market. The parable serves as a constant reminder that no matter how big or successful you are, you must stay agile.

How does Who Moved My Cheese impact personal lives?

While corporate professionals have hailed the book as a read for career growth, the beauty of this fable is its universality. The cheese can represent anything in your personal life—romantic relationships, friendships, family dynamics, or health.

For example, I recall a friend of mine who, after reading the book, ended a toxic relationship that had become her “Cheese Station C.” She had been in denial, hoping things would go back to how they were, but after reading Who Moved My Cheese, she finally saw the writing on the wall: “The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese.” Two years later, she’s healthier, having found her new cheese.

So, what can we learn from Haw's transformation?

Haw’s journey is the heart of this book. He begins resistant, scared, and hopeless. But as he ventures deeper into the maze, he becomes more comfortable with the unknown and even starts enjoying the process of change. He learns the importance of adapting to life’s twists and turns instead of resisting them.

He writes down the lessons on the maze walls as a way to encourage both himself and any future travellers. Among these nuggets of wisdom:

- *“Movement in a new direction helps you find new cheese.”*

- *“Old beliefs do not lead you to new cheese.”*

- *“Smell the cheese often so you know when it is getting old.”

In fact, every time I feel resistant to change, I remind myself of Haw’s journey and that the sooner I step out of my comfort zone, the sooner I’ll find my new cheese.

Who needs to read Who Moved My Cheese?

The better question is: who doesn’t need to read it? Whether you're stuck in a dead-end job, trying to navigate a major life transition, or even just feeling stagnant, this book is for you. I have recommended Who Moved My Cheese to friends going through career changes, retirees facing the question of “What now?” and even newlyweds adjusting to married life. 

It is particularly relevant to young professionals entering a constantly shifting job market. In a world where careers pivot faster than ever—did you know that about 30% of all jobs are expected to disappear by 2030 due to automation?—the ability to adapt is not just a life skill, but a survival skill. 

What’s the secret to the book’s success?

The magic of Who Moved My Cheese lies in its simplicity. Dr Spencer Johnson doesn’t bog us down with complex theories or dense language.

Moreover, the allegory format works because it’s non-threatening. Reading about mice and little people is far more approachable than confronting our own fears about change. This indirect storytelling method makes the book both a light and heavy read at once, depending on how deeply you wish to engage with its message.

Final thoughts?

Who Moved My Cheese is a classic because it taps into a universal truth: life is full of change, and those who resist it are doomed to stagnation. Whether you're dealing with changes in your career, relationships, or personal growth, the lessons in this book offer a clear roadmap for handling transitions.

I can’t promise that Who Moved My Cheese will solve all your problems, but I can tell you it will make you think differently about the changes that come your way. It is a book that stays with you long after you have turned the last page. 

---

Tushar Mangl writes on mental health, soul food, leisure, and a greener, better society. Speaker, author of *Hey Honey Bunch*, *Ardika* and *I Will Do It.