“Who moved my cheese?” Authored by Dr. Spencer Johnson offers us a simple but a profound lesson about dealing with changes in your work and your life. Dr. Spencer Johnson is an international best selling author whose books have helped millions of people world wide to lead a healthier and more successful life.
The book guides us through the story of four characters who live in a maze and look for cheese to nourish them. The story is a powerful metaphor to the changes in our life: how we deal with changes and how we react to them. The ‘Cheese’ mentioned here is a metaphor for what we want to have in our life, whether it is a job, a relationship, money, a big house, freedom, recognition or even a activity like jogging or golf. The ‘maze’ symbolizes where we look for our cheese – the organization you work in, or the family or community in which you live.
The book revolves around four imaginary characters: Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw who live in the maze. Sniff and Scurry, the mice are quick in sensing the change in the location of their cheese and in adapting to the change. Hem on the other hand denies and resists change for the fear of something worse. Haw gradually learns to adapt to the change when he foresees that it can lead to something better. The maze keeps on changing the location of the cheese and the book tells us the story about the action and reaction of these four characters when they find out that their cheese supply has been moved.
The four characters connect to us in some way or the other depicting the simple and complex parts of ourselves. The experiences these characters have and their reactions mirror real life situations, allowing readers to see themselves in similar circumstances and reflect on their own attitude towards change. Throughout the story, Dr. Spencer Johnson imparts valuable lessons, emphasizing the importance of embracing change, being open to new opportunities and not being afraid to let go of old ways. The book teaches us to proactively seek for success and happiness, rather than passively wait for it to come their way.
One of the book’s strengths is its ability to convey complex ideas through a relatable and engaging story, which resonates with readers of all ages and background. The lessons imparted in the book apply to personal and professional situations, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their adaptability and embrace change. This ‘cheesy’ tale conveys the message that change is inevitable and the story helps us navigate through the ‘mazes’ life throws at us without being stuck in it.
I personally loved this book for it’s remarkable quality of delivering a thoughtful message through a simple engaging tale which holds on to the readers. The world keeps on changing and it will never slow down. In addition, “Change” is the law of nature and it is addressed very well through this book. I would personally like to give a rating of ‘5 stars’ (*****) for this book on a five stars scale. Even after 25 years of its publication, the lesson it gives us is more relevant than ever and continues to inspire millions.
“Move with the Cheese and Enjoy it!”
वाचन संकल्प महाराष्ट्राचा
पुस्तक परीक्षण पोर्टल, जयकर ज्ञानस्रोत केंद्र, सावित्रीबाई फुले पुणे विद्यापीठ, पुणे