Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson: Summary & Notes

Summary

A silly story about mice and cheese meant to demonstrate that change is uncomfortable but we’re better off adapting to it.

The story might be useful for children; I think it’s just too silly and condescending for many adults to take it seriously.

The authors acknowledge that it’s not for everyone—apparently some people enjoy it!

Notes

• The more important something is to you, the more you want to hold on to it.
• If you aren’t willing to change, you’ll become extinct.
• What would you do if you weren’t afraid?
• Things are rarely as bad as we think they will be in our heads.
• It’s better to take control of your own fate than let things happen to you.
• Be aware of your surroundings—the market, the world, the company, etc.—so you know when things are starting to change.
• Taking action—moving in a direction—is always better for figuring out what’s next when you’re uncertain.
• Being afraid is what causes us so much anxiety; getting started and losing that fear makes us feel much better.
• Imagine what your future will hold to motivate yourself to change in the present.
• Old beliefs will keep you tied to old behaviors. You need new beliefs—and an open mind—to encourage new behaviors.
• If you can laugh at your own folly, it will be much easier to change. Taking ourselves too seriously limits us to our old ways.
• The biggest inhibitor to change always lies within ourselves.
• We want to keep things simple, be flexible, and move quickly.
• Beware of imposing change in others; they will resist it if you force them.