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What are readers saying about Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life?
| Reviews of Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life - Page 1 of 39 |
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-04 11:44:58.
(Language: English)
 
on't really read this type of books, but since: a) I was going through a real tough time then (who isn't?) b) i love reading, and there's really nothing to lose and c) the book was given by a very good friend, I decided to read it as well. =) Before you dismiss this book as another one of "those" self-help books, well, think again. Spencer Johnson knows what he's talking about (come on, just check his background). And while you might say "Duh, like that's so obvious.", think again. It is that obvious, but I guess what we might want to tell ourselves is why we haven't figured it out before. This is a real gem. Read it, if you feel that your life's spinning out of control and you desperately want to pull away from the vortex but just can't. Or maybe you feel like your life's in total disarray... well here's another good book for you. Or probably there's nothing "seemingly wrong" with your life right now... that's okay! Read it! Be amazed! I guess life's answers were just in front of us along. =) ”
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Wan-Shoo posted a review at 2008-07-26 05:50:31.
(Language: English)
This book uses four distinct characters to make you start thinking what kind of attitude in you that drive your life.It's a very short book, you must use your heart and be sincere to yourself in order to get the most out of it. Most of the rules are well known to us but nothing by words alone. The book presents the fear in each one of us when our 'cheese' is changing..often applies to those who only envisage the bad as the outcome rather than the good ones.Read this book, think and change if you want a better life. A thin book doesn't mean it's shallow...
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-06-25 11:53:41.
(Language: English)
I own this book for a very very long time but i never took it out to read till last week...i found this book when i was looking for a file. I took it out and i read it....its a fabulous book...though i juz finished reading it and have not started to apply what i learnt from it...i know very well this book can help me change my life...encourage everyone to read it
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-12-08 06:54:45.
(Language: English)
A good book for those who are facing a job crisis. Not so much for those who already are willing to do what it takes to succeed...
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-12-27 02:53:30.
(Language: English)
Truly great parable...which can be interpreted in many different ways, in all aspects of life. However, it seems to be abused by many managers: http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2002-12-26-cheese-usat_x.htm Basicly, the message is "change is unavoidable, better to be ready to adapt" The key in it was the posed question "What would I do if I weren't afraid?" It serves as an eye-opener from time to time.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-01-14 09:14:20.
(Language: English)
This was a wonderful book my 6 yr old son & I read it. Everyone encounters cange at some point in their life & it is up to you how you are going to deal with it. I definily recomend this book so does my son. He has taken it to school to get his teachers to read it. What a great little story. Very easy read for someone just starting out with reading. A small book with so much to think about! This book is such a wonderful story even our 6 year old loved the book!
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A Reader posted a review at 2012-03-04 08:03:15.
(Language: English)
It's a thinker.
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-07-09 04:24:19.
(Language: English)
You should read it ... seriously
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-02-04 02:53:03.
(Language: English)
Excellent book. Tells us to deal with change by keeping things simple and not complicating it with our emotions. I feel it asks us not to complicate our lives and emotions because of change and just move ahead realize change when it happens, adapt to change and just move on and do what is required. And next time anticipate change in advance and keep changing ourselves so that change does not catch us offguard and we are fully prepared when change does happen.
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A Reader posted a review at 2012-03-30 05:59:13.
(Language: English)
Change is good!
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-12-30 03:09:31.
(Language: English)
Overall: The book gives an analogy of “moving the cheese” for every change. Though it has some good ideas, the main ones are: anticipate the change, don’t resist it, adapt to it (Darwin), during the finding process for the new cheese imagine yourself enjoying it, enjoy the change as it occurs and be ready for the next possible change (have the process repetitive). The idea of using analogy (and repeating it for making the reader remember the point) is good but has been much more effectively used in past by many others (Sant Dnyaneshwar etc). The author does an ok job. The storyline used is below average, out of four characters (two mice and two littlemen), at least one is practically wasted. The purpose of that character being in the story was distracting to me. Directly from the book (my comments in brackets): Pg. Quoted 30 Having cheese makes you happy 36 The more important your cheese is to you, the more you want to hold on to it. 46 If you don’t change, you can become extinct. 48 (always ask yourself) “what would I do if I wasn’t afraid (of the change?)” 49 Sometimes fear can be good. When you are afraid things are going to get worse if you don’t do something, if can prompt you into action. But it is not good when you are so afraid that it keeps you from doing anything. (If you delay the change, your position gets weaker with time, it takes even more time to implement the change than it would have taken earlier and gets more painful too. That’s when one feels that if one gets ever get a chance again, then one would adapt to the change sooner thus making things easier on one’ self.) Better late than never. 50 (The process of the change could be painful). Whenever one starts to get discouraged, one can remind oneself that what one was doing, as uncomfortable as it was at the moment, was in reality much better than staying in the cheeseless situation. One is taking control, rather than simply letting things happen to oneself. 52 Smell the cheese often so you know when it is getting old. 54 (Proactive) Movement in a new direction helps you find new cheese. 55 (One may let go and trust what is ahead, even though one doesn’t know what exactly it is) 56 When you move beyond your fear, you feel free. 57 The more clearly you see the image of the New Cheese, The more real it becomes and the more you can sense that you are going to find it. 58 Imagining yourself enjoying New Cheese even before you find it, leads you to it. 60 The quicker you let go of the Old Cheese, the sooner you find the New Cheese. 62 Is it safer to search in the maze than remain in a Cheeseless situation. 63 What you are afraid of is never as bad as what you imagine. The fear you let build up in your mind is worse than the situation that actually exists. 64 Old beliefs don’t lead you to the New Cheese. 65 When you change what you believe, you change what you do. 66 When you see that you can find and enjoy New Cheese you change course. 68 Noticing small chang4es early helps you adapt to the bigger changes that are to come. 70 The fastest way to change is by laughing at oneself and what one had been doing wrong, and then to let go and to quickly move on. 71 Keep life simple. Don’t overanalyze or overcomplicate things. When the situation changes and the Cheese is moved, you should change and move with the cheese. 71 – 72 Learn to deal with the change: You could be move aware of the need to keep things simple, be flexible, and move quickly. You did not need to overcomplicate matters or confuse yourself with fearful beliefs. You could notice when the little changes began so that you would be better prepared for the big change that might be coming. You need to adapt fast, for if you do don’t adapt in time, you might as well not adapt at all. Admit that the biggest inhibitor to change lies within yourself, and that nothing gets better until you change. Perhaps the most important of all, realize that there is always New Cheese out there whether you recognize it at the time or not. And that you are awarded with it when you go past your fear and enjoy the adventure. He knew some fear should be respected, as it can keep you out of real danger. But he realized most of his fears were irrational and had kept him from changing when he needed to change. 74 Change happens: They keep moving the cheese. Anticipate change: Get ready for the cheese to move. Monitor change: Smell the cheese often so you know when it is getting old. Adapt to change quickly: The quicker you let go of Old Cheese, the sooner you can enjoy New Cheese. Change: Move with the cheese. Enjoy the change!: Savor the adventure and enjoy the taste of New Cheese! Be ready to change quickly and enjoy it again: They keep moving with the cheese. 76 Move with the change and enjoy it. 85 What do we need to let go of and what do we need to move on to? It’s a lot better to initiate change while you can than it is to try to react and adjust to it. 88 The Old Cheese is just old behavior. What we really need to let go of is the behavior that keeps causing bad relationship. The New Cheese is a new relationship with the same person. 91 A change imposed is a change opposed. 93 When a smart person says the change is a bad idea, others say the same. Though they may not feel that way. But they agree in order to look smart as well. That’s the sort of peer pressure that fights change in any organization.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-01 06:33:44.
(Language: English)
Yes I agree with Lynda that people should know these things but that's not the case. Not eveyone is fortunate enough to have been taught such vital survival skills. I was raised by two glass half-empty thinking parents. It would be nice if that were the case, but it's not. This book got me out of the worst depression I had ever faced. The first drastic change in my life was getting fibromyalgia at sixteen and later having to accept I wouldn't be leaving home to study out of state or abroad. I dreamt of doing all of those things since I was a little girl but now doing everyday things is torture for me. This book made me question the hidden blessing in my disease. I believe I stayed behind in my home town to concentrate my humanitarian effort to the pople who need it here. And believe me, there are lots and lots of people who need help here. So this book has helped me see the light in the darkness and I'm glad my aunt dumped it at my house. :)
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-07-07 06:33:26.
(Language: English)
Sometime in the 90’s (released in ’98) Spencer Johnson, an M.D., penned a story about two mice and two ‘Littlepeople’, which serves as a metaphor for dealing with change in work and in life. The following is my analysis and understanding of what the author intended the reader gain from the story. The Setting Four characters search for cheese in a large maze, one day coming upon a large station of it. There’s the two mice, Sniff, who sniffs out change and sees it early, and Scurry, who takes action immediately (the mice) and Hem and Haw (the Littlepeople). Everyone reacts differently to their situation. The Littlepeople move their homes and build their social lives around the station. “Having cheese makes you happy,†says Hem. When the cheese grows old, and then runs out, our characters must react to the situation. The mice don’t overanalyze or overcomplicate things; they just take off looking for new cheese. Hem and Haw, stand by, and complain that “it’s not fair.†Hem says they are entitled to the cheese. Haw suggests they find new cheese. Hem is too comfortable, and tells Haw ‘it’s too dangerous out there. I’m too old to change. I’m not interested in making a fool out of myself.’ Each day they find that no cheese has appeared in their station, and as they are denied, they have nightmares. ‘Sooner or later they have to put the cheese back’ says Hem. Meanwhile, Sniff and Scurry search for new cheese, with visions of the biggest cheese ever, in their minds. Back at the station, Haw paints the most believable picture he can, imagining himself in the maze with a smile on his face. He realizes, even though the cheese being moved presents a challenge and that’s life. Life moves on. And so should we. If Sniff and Scurry could move on, so could Haw. So, Haw puts his running shoes on and heads back into the maze. He has to find his own way, beyond his comforts and past fears. Throughout his journey, he learns valuable lessons and leaves handwriting on the wall, outlined below. Finally he finds his own way to the greatest supply of cheese, meeting up with Sniff and Scurry, and reflecting on the lesson he’s learned. The Lesson • The more important something is, the more you want to hold onto it. • If you don’t change, you can become extinct. • What would you do if you weren’t afraid? • It’s not good when you are so afraid that it keeps you from doing anything, BUT it’s better late than never. • Take control, rather than let things happen to you. • Be alert. Anticipate change. Expect it to happen. Trust basic instincts. • Check yourself often, so you know when your ways are getting old. • When you stop being afraid, you feel good. • Just looking ahead is exciting. • Movement in a new direction helps you find something new. • Think of what you can gain, instead of what you can lose. • If you would have moved sooner you would have found a good deal of new cheese. • The quicker you let go of habits, the sooner you grow. • It’s safer to search than to remain static. • The fear you let build up in your mind is worse than the situation that actually exists. • It’s natural for change to occur, whether you expect it or not. • Old beliefs don’t lead you to development. • When you change what you believe you change what you do. • When you see that you can find and enjoy new cheeses you change course. • Noticing small changes early helps you adapt to the bigger changes that are about to come. • Let go of the past, adapt to the present. • Change happens when you laugh at yourself and what you’re doing wrong. • Be aware of the need to keep things simple, be flexible, and move quickly. • Notice little changes so you can be prepared for big change. • Nothing gets better until you change. The Handwriting on the Wall • Change Happens • Anticipate Change • Monitor Change • Adapt to Change Quickly • Enjoy Change! • Be Ready to Quickly Change Again and Again
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-11-13 07:19:26.
(Language: English)
Can be read in just under an hour and encourages one to reflect and develop new thinking. The 'cheese' refers to 'change'. An easy, interesting and motivational book, set as a story with four very different characters. Upon reading the book, the reader is asked to think about which character they can relate to the most.
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Tomi posted a review at 2010-11-05 01:09:04.
(Language: English)
Nice little tale on coping with change... nothing more.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-11-08 03:36:57.
(Language: English)
I must be the largest private buyer of this book anywhere. I regularly give (read loan) this book to friends and colleagues. Most give it back, the rest go off and change their life so radically that giving back my book is not high on their list of priorities. These are the ones I am most happy to have 'loaned' it to. If you have read this and not been able to identify yourself from one of the four characters, then I can probably guess which one you are, and you really are the one who needs to read it. The simplicity of the story is in direct contrast to the effect it shoud have on you. Read it, not once, not twice, not three times, but as many times as you need to until it sinks in. Finding Cheese Makes You Happy! This very simple book of
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-03-10 08:21:08.
(Language: English)
This was a really quick and boring read. I figured so many people were ranting and raving about it that perhaps reading it might do me some good. No, not really.The book is about a story of two mice and two little people who live in a maze and try to find cheese. They all find a huge supply of cheese and when the cheese is all gone, the two mice go off to find more cheese while the two little people can’t quite accept that the cheese is gone and isn’t coming back.The story of the people at their high school reunion telling the story is laughable. They’re all so excited to discuss how the story changed their lives. I wrote better stories in the 3rd grade.I was not motivated at all by this book. View me as a Hem if you want, but the book is filled with things you SHOULD already know. You have to change and adapt in this world if you’re going to get anywhere in life. You have to pay attention to your surroundings so you can notice when things are changing and be prepared for it.I honestly can’t believe that there are people who don’t already know this. I can’t see how reading this horribly written book will motivate anyone to change their ways.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-12-05 05:46:39.
(Language: English)
This book and Who Moved my Cheese? for Teens, is very easy to read and is about adapting to change. Sometimes change is really hard, especially when it is forced upon us. Spencer Johnson tells a simple story about two mice and two little people. But the story centers around the two little people, Hem and Haw, and how they react to change. The book's premise is that change is inevitable. However, a person's attitude toward change makes a big difference. I highly recommend it to anyone.
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Anjana posted a review at 2012-03-28 02:07:08.
(Language: English)
I have read it 15 times at I wish to rwad it again and again..I specialy thanks to Mr. Kevin Parera..Jabalpur to provide me such a wonderful Book..
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Deevanshu posted a review at 2012-01-27 08:09:37.
(Language: English)
indeed a nice book .... must read !!!!
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-06-04 01:10:56.
(Language: English)
This book is a crock of shit. If your company starts handing it out, brush up your resume--there may be layoffs afoot. It's this cute little children's story about mice and little mouse sized people who live in a maze and someone moves their cheese. The moral of the story is basically, "Don't question authority. All change is good, no matter how irrational it is. Don't expect any kind of rewards for your hard work, because then you're not moving with the cheese." I award you no stars and may God have mercy on your soul.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-01-02 08:54:15.
(Language: English)
The power of this book comes from the power of allegory as a teaching/learning tool. The "content" about how organizations and families deal with change (or don't) is insightful, but not profound or ground-breaking. The fact that the story is simple and childish is not a weakness. It's what give the book the power to be a catalyst for meaningful dialog about change within an organization, family, etc. While I could nit-pick about this or that detail of the allegory, the story can be a powerful tool to elicit a group's attitudes and beliefs about change and to help them as a group to examine and adjust those attitudes.
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-08-03 03:54:38.
(Language: English)
I thought is was a very interesting read
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Michael posted a review at 2009-03-05 11:34:33.
(Language: English)
This book gives us insight how we look at our lives in a different paradigm... it is simple, easy to understand, and makes us confront our fear of change head on. Most of us are faced with change that was caused by forces outside our control, and yet, the book reminds us that we need to adapt, take control, take action and embrace the change. It is rather simplistic, and certainly leaves something to be desired in the change management department. But having just experienced some of the most challenging times in by 15 years in business, the book provided a little pick me up and a reminder that we need to keep moving. A good read for those displaced during the current economic challenges as well, it is a reminder that there is something out there - we just need to keep running through he maze. As frustrating and scary as it may be...Keep going!!!
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-04-10 05:47:47.
(Language: English)
The story is a parable, which revolves around for four fictional characters- 2 mice (Sniff and Scurry), and two “Little People” (Hem and Haw), who live inside a maze, trying to find cheese. The cheese represents everything we desire: a good job, health, or relationships. One day, the cheese is gone. The mice follow their instincts, and do what it takes to survive: they go out into the maze and try to locate a new source of cheese. The Little People, however, consider cheese not only their nourishment, but their entire lives revolve around it. Cheese has become their self-image, and they are trying to figure out, what to do next. They argue, they plan; they do everything except take action and do what comes so naturally to the mice. After a while Haw ventures out to find more cheese and comes across inspiring posters like: “old beliefs do not lead to new cheese”, “move with the cheese and enjoy it”. After searching for a long time he finally discovers a new cheese station, only to find that the mice have been there for days. The reader is left wondering if Hem ever finds the courage to change as well. Change is difficult for the Little People, the old cheese station was their security and their entire life-style revolved around that particular location. The author is reminding us that we are often bound by our own fears and anxieties. We like to live within our comfort-zone, and we fail to do what would be in our best interest: change. In order to keep finding what we need/want/desire, we need to be flexible and prepared. I have mixed feelings about this book. It is a cute little story, easy to read and one can certainly interpret many things into it. The book invites you to think and assess your current situation in life, but I believe that it is over-simplistic. I had heard a great deal about that book, it has been warmly recommended to me, but it left me disappointed. While going with the changes in life is definitely sometimes necessary, it may not always the best course of action. There isn’t a specific answer to a specific problem in the book; everything is generalized and rather vague. I agree that complaining about problems is unproductive, but mindless acceptance and change just for change’s sake can be downright dangerous. This book doesn’t teach anything new in terms of how one needs to deal with the challenges of everyday life. I think this book could be appropriate for children and teenagers; they can use it as a discussion tool to get them thinking about their goals, problems, fears and how they sometimes need to learn to adapt to new situations. Personally, I think it lacks real wisdom. This isn’t a world in which new cheese is just waiting around another corner. In the real maze of life people lose their job and go hungry and are not just blocked by their own fears of change or laziness. In this respect I find this book a bit condescending. Despite its claims, I doubt that this is a life-changing book for me.
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