Lessons on Change, Fear, and Finding New Opportunities
On recognizing when you’re clinging to icky cheese and why the courage to move on might be safer than staying put.
I just finished a walk with my pups and listened to Who Moved My Cheese?by Spencer Johnson—an oldie but a goodie that hits a little differently–maybe because I’m in the middle of my own cheese-moving moment with a new job, or maybe because I’m finally ready to hear what this simple parable has been trying to tell us all along.
The Story in a Nutshell
The book follows two mice (Sniff and Scurry) and two people (Hem and Haw) who live in a maze searching for “cheese”—a metaphor for whatever we desire in life: success, relationships, health, security, you name it.
When their reliable cheese supply at “Cheese Station C” disappears, the mice quickly adapt and search for new cheese. But the little people? Well, that’s where it gets interesting.
Meet the characters:
- Sniff: The observant mouse who anticipates change
- Scurry: The action-oriented mouse who scurries into new opportunities
- Hem: The person resistant and fearful of change, desperately wanting safety but often ending up worse off
- Haw: The person who eventually overcomes his fear and learns to adapt
The core message?
Change is inevitable but adapting to it—rather than resisting it—is crucial for personal and professional growth. Don’t let fear paralyze you.
New adventures await!
The Lessons That Hit Home
Change is Happening. Period.
Change is a constant in life. No situation lasts forever. The cheese will move, whether we like it or not.
Fear Can Be More Dangerous Than Change Itself
Here’s what struck me: When we’re so afraid of change (like Hem), sometimes it feels “easier” to be stagnant. But we end up holding on to old cheese that really wasn’t there anymore (or was getting pretty putrid). Sometimes, the fear of the unknown becomes more paralyzing than the actual situation we’re afraid of.
Sometimes Change is Safer Than “Safety”
This is the mind-bender: It’s actually safer to be aware of your real choices than to isolate yourself in your comfort zone. And let’s be honest, when we are even thinking about changes, it’s often because our comfort zone is no longer so comfy. When we’re mindful that change can be safer than staying put, it becomes easier to move forward. And hell—sometimes it’s more exciting and simply better!
Which Character Are You?
I’ve been all four at different points in my life. And I bet you have too.
Be like Sniff: Stay observant. Look for signs that change is coming. Don’t bury your head in the sand.
Be like Scurry: Value action. When you see change happening, move. Don’t wait for perfect conditions.
Watch for your inner Hem: Notice when you’re anchored by fear, limiting yourself from moving on. Recognize that desire for safety—and question whether staying is actually providing it.
Channel Haw: Learn to laugh at your fears. Take time to envision what new opportunities might look like. Remember, Haw eventually figured it out—and so can you.
The Question That Changes Everything:
What would you do if you were not afraid?
Sit with that one. Really sit with it.
Because here’s what I’ve learned: Change can lead to something new, exciting, and better. And as you change, you become a magnet that attracts new, different, and better opportunities.
Peaks and Valleys: The Parade of Life
At the end of Who Moved My Cheese?, Johnson teases his next book, Peaks and Valleys (which is now on hold for me at the library). But even the brief preview offered wisdom:
On the peaks (the good times):
- Remember how you got there—stay humble and curious
- Save resources for the coming valleys
- Be grateful, respectful, and humble
- Keep learning; arrogance about your success is where mistakes happen
In the valleys (the low points):
- These can be the hardest moments, but often the most invaluable
- Valleys reflect what you’re missing and push you toward something new
- In retrospect, these times are almost always a good thing
How to Apply These Lessons Today
Recognize your “cheese”: Get clear on what motivates you and what you truly desire. Remember the utility of clarity—because when you’re really clear, you get “it” in a moment. And sometimes, in that moment, it’s clear it’s time to move on.
Anticipate change: Keep your eyes open for signs that change is coming. Be prepared to act.
Don’t let fear control you: Take action despite your fears. Ask yourself: “What am I willing to change for?” While staying put might feel safer, it’s often not as secure as we tell ourselves.
Imagine success: This is the fun part that helps you overcome your fears! Take some time to visualize the new opportunities you’ll find by adapting to change. See yourself enjoying the “new cheese.”
Questions Worth Pondering
- What’s your cheese? What are you chasing?
- How moldy and disappointing does your current cheese have to get before you’re ready to find new cheese?
- What would you do if you were not afraid?
A Final Note
Keep things simple and flexible. Adapt faster. Be ready to change quickly and move again when needed.
There’s always new cheese out there. Get out of your own fear and get after it.
Change is happening everywhere. Let go of what isn’t working and move on. Initiate change when you can.
And remember: Change can lead to new, exciting, and better outcomes. As you change, you become a magnet that attracts new, different, and better opportunities.
P.S. He offered an important reminder: Go back for your teammates at least once. Offer them the map. But recognize that pain (and our valleys) can be a wonderful teacher, and sometimes people have to learn for themselves. You can’t want their change more than they do.
P.P.S. What’s one piece of “old cheese” you’ve been holding onto? Hit reply and let me know—I love reading about stinky cheese and perhaps I can offer you some free delicious cheese, eh-hem, I mean coaching ????
