Who Moved My Cheese?

Outline

Who Moved My Cheese? (1998) is a short parable about dealing with change at work and in life. Spencer Johnson tells the story of two mice and two little people who live in a maze and must react when their supply of cheese disappears. Through their different responses, the book shows how fear and denial hold us back, and how anticipating change, adapting quickly, and enjoying new opportunities lead to success.

• The book is a short parable about handling change at work and in life, told through a story rather than theory.
• Two mice and two little people live in a maze, and each reacts differently when their cheese supply disappears.
• Fear and denial hold us back when circumstances shift and the familiar is gone.
• Anticipating change and adapting quickly puts you in a stronger position than waiting for things to return to normal.
• Enjoying new opportunities, instead of mourning what was lost, is what leads to success.

Spencer Johnson (1938–2017) was an American physician and author known for short, simple books about life and work. He co-wrote The One Minute Manager with Ken Blanchard, and Who Moved My Cheese? became one of the best-selling business books of all time. His other books include The Present and Peaks and Valleys.