Illustration credits – Kausha Andharia
Yes, you read it right everyone must read this book, Who Moved my Cheese by Spencer Johnson. This book is small and invaluable. This book teaches us an A-mazing way to deal with change in our lives and work.
I heard about this book for like ages and I finally read it in 2017. After reading it I was like why I didn’t read it before. As soon as I read it I shared it with my friends and colleagues. So here I am sharing with you hear me out.
In the book, Spencer tells the story about two mice Sniff and Scurry and two little men Hem and Haw, who daily run through the maze to find “Cheese” their food. These four characters are four types of Personality called PSIU (Producer, Stabilizer, Unifier, and Innovator). You can be one of those four characters and “Cheese” here symbolizes money, power, food, fame, or anything which is very near and dear to you.
I often feel that we are very likely to get attached to the clothes, work, things which surround us, and when we repeat doing those things every day it kinda becomes a habit and we start thinking that we can’t live without it. Okay, let me give you an example from my life.
In my initial days as a developer, I didn’t know the language properly and was not making an effort to learn by myself. I always thought that why do I care? I am getting Pay “Cheese ” what I wanted. But then I started to realize that I am also not getting the work I always wanted to do. It made me feel bad about myself. I started applying to other companies but didn’t get a good offer. So I thought the problem is with me. I expected different results by doing the same things over and over again. Then I started learning the technology first and didn’t expect any result. this behavior helped me to get a good job profile and with delicious “Cheese” Handsome Paycheck. 🙂 So my point is never to get into a victim mentality. In the book Hem and Haw acted like they were entitled to something when they weren’t.
Similarly, I have seen many people especially grown-ups or I should say, old people, they are not ready to accept the changes. I suppose they are scared to change so they don’t accept it. Also, I have heard in my family and everywhere “it’s not like the old days”. This is a mere comparison and it will leave you with sadness and feeling of not getting enough. Which is not good. Stop comparing things, be flexible enough. To savor the new things in life.
I will leave the book for you to read its a small book. It will take a maximum 1 hour to read.
Few Points from the book I will share here which I think are powerful messages from the book.
- When you move beyond your fear, you feel free.
- If you do what you have always done, you will get what you’ve always got.
Few questions you should ask yourself after reading this book.
- What do we need to let go of and what do we need to move on to?
- What would you do if you weren’t afraid?
- How many here are afraid of change?
And finally one thought from Dr. Spencer which stands true for everyone,
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.
Dr. Spencer Johnson
I recommend you to go through the book and share your story and insights with me. What do you think?
Simple Test for you to check Anybody’s Personality
Have you heard of The four forces of Organizational Physics: PSIU??
Its a management term to identify individual behavior. Please check this link to understand it better.
It takes just 15 seconds to understand the basics of someone’s personality style (including your own). Sharing a link where you can Test your Personality by giving some simple quiz. Take a quiz here.