Who Moved My Cheese: How to Deal With Change in Your Work and in Your Life (Vermilion)

A simple story but dragged a bit too long however, worth reading and reread it every once in a while

** Book 1 of 12 read as part of a team challenge (see below) ** This is a simple book and easy to read parable regarding change. Some may say that its too simple and same message could be given in single sentence of 'When there is change, adapt or die'. That is the basic premise and reiterated throughout the parable and so is true, except for one thing, and that is that people relate to things, digest and learn much more effectively with stories rather abrupt statements I found this book useful as a reminder It is split into 3 sections, with the story in the middle sections sandwiched between a 'Class Reunion' type meeting before to set the scene of telling the story and a then final section a discussion from the reunion on the usefullness of the story. Although those sections may add context for some people, I found them to be way too contrived and so worsened my experience The story itself is a quick read and is not a cook book for the specific steps you need to take to deal with change as there are so many variables in such. It rather keeps reminding you that you should be prepared for change and aware of your surroundings. In regards to when change happens (and spoiler alert - the cheese disappears) the path the book takes is to accept change, don't question it but move on to new cheese. This can be seen by some as a defeatest path and thus a criticism of the book, but like much in the book its what you read into it as to what you get out of it. A couple of points are made that you should be aware of slight changes happening in your environment as well as not getting too comfortable. Taken further, unless you are in full control of your environment (and in this case they are not) then I see you have two options - accept change when it happens (as the simple mice do) - further your own understanding of your environment and the whys and hows, so you can understand or even influence change early in the piece. This second thought is not covered in the book(its my take away) as its not its premise. Sometimes we need a reminder on things in life and this is a simple book that can deliver that at the right time. Like all self help / management books you do need to not come in with preconceived thoughts on what IT needs to deliver to YOU. THE TEAM CHALLENGE I made up a team challenge / building activity for my remote staff or 12 spread around the globe. It went like this. 1.Each individual choose a book, any book, that could have some benefit to the team After all had chosen a book, then advised. 2. They need to gift that book to another member of the team, with the catch that they could not gift to someone in the same office as themselves 3. After the receiver had read the book, then the gifter and receiver of the book did a presentation/call to myself as to why the book was chosen and the benefits (if any) of the book. to our team. So each person read 1 book, each person did 2 presentations. As manager I also bought and read each book chosen. My review based on my thoughts.

I really enjoyed it. It’s a short and simple book, but very meaningful. The story makes you think about change differently and encourages you not to stay stuck in old habits.. I definitely recommend it for anyone feeling a bit overwhelmed by change or looking for motivation.

I bought this for one of my apprentices who needed some support in handling change. This is the response she sent me after reading it: I would like you to know I read Who Moved My Cheese? On my way home last night. I found it so enlightening! I feel like even when it comes to managing change us humans tend to overcomplicate things and make simple tasks way more complex than they need to be. Seeing it put in such a basic format made the information easier to digest – Mice, littlepeople & cheese! I also really appreciated how the book focusses on how most of the time we scare ourselves out of enjoying change because we don’t know what will happen, Its like spinning a wheel where 9 slots have £1m and 1 slot has instantaneous death😃 I see how people love to panic when change comes around (literally me as soon as any insignificant thing in my life changes) and it’s a waste of energy. However, I will say the one thing I didn’t like in the book was when they mentioned that you should anticipate change – that made me a bit nervous because I would feel as if I’d always have to be on edge and that would make me feel almost paranoid that change is coming to get me, so I will definitely be taking that with a pinch of salt. But overall, an amazing read I think my sister will benefit greatly from reading it too! Thanks Michelle 😊 Plus she has added today : I’ve also spoken about the book on a couple of my social media channels and quite a few of my friends have decided it would be a very insightful read.

Very easy to read book with a very easy to understand message. Maybe not everyone wants to see the message and some will think they are being patronized in a juvenile story about basic common sense. But it's meant to be so simplistic that the thought is focused on the message rather than the storyline. You are sure to find yourself associating with three out of the four characters and although most wont admit to being the character Hem there are many out there just like him and stuck in their past. So many people see themselves as flexible but back up their stubborn stance as expertise gained from experience. Well we would all be walking around in loin clothes and grunting at each other if progress was restricted by experience. This short easy to read book is well worth keeping in your library to remind yourself from time to time how easy it is to get stuck in the past. I have my copy, and purchased this one for my 17 year old nephew to help him see how to move on and leave his childhood old cheese behind. Change is often seen as a bad thing and although it's not always easy to accept, sometimes there is no alternative and the best way to deal with it is to make the best you can out of it. Surely good advice. Not everyone will want to contemplate the message of the book and often the ones stuck in their ways will argue the toss loudest. But there is an audience for this kind of book and out of the 26 million people who have purchased it there are bound to be arguments on both sides of the fence. That's what having an opinion is about isn't it?

This book is Thought provoking and a short and easy read. We could all do with giving this a read. Jack

Great message in this book

I read it all in one day, very enlightening, my kids will be reading this, I think employers should get this for their employees. Would definitely be telling people about this

Worthwhile read

This is a simple book that relates to just about anyone. Read it about 20yrs ago. Got this copy for my child, so reread it. Good reminder, embrace changes and keep up w them. Embrace life!

Nice written to common concept but it allude us when we are busy enjoying our cheese... Quick read highly recommended..

Amazing book!

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