Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson

Title: Who Moved My Cheese
Author: Spencer Johnson
Year: 2015
Pages: 96

Change is something we all face—at work, at home, in life. Sometimes it sneaks up on us, other times it hits like a storm. Either way, it pushes us to rethink, adjust, and find new ways forward.

But let’s be honest—dealing with change isn’t always easy. That’s where Who Moved My Cheese? comes in. In this short, powerful book, Spencer Johnson shares a simple yet meaningful story about how we respond to change—and what we can do to handle it better.

It’s no surprise this little book became a classic in both business and personal development. Even though it was written more than 20 years ago, its message still hits home today.

At its core, it’s a fun and insightful tale about four characters who live in a maze and spend their days searching for cheese.

But cheese here isn’t just cheese—it’s a symbol for whatever you’re chasing in life: a great job, a loving relationship, money, health, peace of mind—whatever matters most to you.

The maze represents where you look for those things. It could be your career, your family, your community, or even your own personal journey.

The catch? The cheese keeps moving.

As the story unfolds, the characters are forced to face unexpected changes. Some struggle. Some move on. One of them writes down everything he learns on the walls of the maze—leaving behind clues for the rest of us.

And that’s the magic of the book. It shows you how to spot change early, adapt quickly, and even enjoy the process.

You’ll walk away with simple but powerful lessons that can help you stress less, succeed more, and feel more in control—no matter what’s shifting around you.

It’s a story for all ages. You can read it in under an hour, but the insights will stay with you much longer.

As a result, I gave this book a rating of 8.5/10.

For me, a book with a note 10 is one I consider reading again every year. Among the books I rank with 10, for example, are How to Win Friends and Influence People and Factfulness.

3 Reasons to Read Who Moved My Cheese

Understand Change Simply

This book explains change in the clearest way possible—through a short story. It strips away the jargon and shows what change feels like. You’ll see yourself in the characters and reflect on how you personally react when things shift.

Timeless and Relatable

Whether you’re facing a career shift, a relationship change, or just uncertainty about the future, the story fits. It’s not tied to a specific industry, trend, or phase of life. That’s why it still resonates more than 20 years after it was written.

Takes Less Than an Hour

The book reveals how a handful of people, places, or policies quietly shape huge outcomes. Whether it’s a doctor overprescribing pills or a TV show shifting national opinion, you’ll see how influence works behind the scenes—and how easy it is to miss it until it’s too late.

Book Overview

The heart of Who Moved My Cheese? is a short parable about change, told through four characters who live in a maze. These four characters—two mice named Sniff and Scurry, and two little people named Hem and Haw—are looking for “Cheese,” which symbolizes whatever we want in life: a job, money, success, love, peace, security, health, or happiness.

They each have their own way of searching for Cheese. The mice, being simple creatures, rely on instinct. They don’t overthink things—they just keep running through the maze, sniffing out change and scurrying into action. The little people, on the other hand, use their complex brains. They analyze, worry, hold onto beliefs, and try to make sense of the maze. Sometimes that helps—but other times, it gets in the way.

One day, all four characters discover a huge stash of Cheese at Cheese Station C. It’s everything they’ve been looking for. From that moment on, they make it a routine to come back every day. But their approaches remain very different.

Sniff and Scurry continue to wake up early, run through the maze, check on the cheese supply, and stay alert. They notice that the cheese is slowly shrinking, and they’re mentally preparing for it to run out.

Hem and Haw, however, become comfortable. They stop checking. They move their homes closer to the cheese. They decorate the station. They even hang up a sign that says, “Having Cheese Makes You Happy.” They assume the cheese will always be there. It becomes “their” cheese. They believe they’ve earned it. So when the cheese disappears one day without warning, they’re shocked.

Sniff and Scurry act fast

When the mice arrive and see the cheese is gone, they don’t overthink it. They’ve seen it coming. Without hesitation, they lace up their running shoes, head back into the maze, and start looking for New Cheese.

They don’t waste time asking why it happened. They don’t get angry. They just move.

Hem and Haw get stuck

When the little people arrive and find the cheese gone, their reaction is very different. Hem is furious. He yells, “Who moved my cheese?” and insists it’s not fair. Haw is stunned and afraid. They feel betrayed, abandoned, and victimized. They go home hungry and discouraged, but keep returning to the same empty spot, hoping the cheese will reappear.

Days pass. They dig holes in the wall. They analyze. They complain. They blame. But they do not change.

Hem says, “We deserve this cheese. We worked for it.” He believes someone else is responsible and that it’s only a matter of time until the cheese comes back. Haw starts to question this logic, but fear holds him back. The idea of running into the maze again is terrifying.

The turning point for Haw

Eventually, Haw starts imagining Sniff and Scurry out there in the maze. He wonders if they’ve found new cheese by now. He realizes how long it’s been since he’s felt hopeful or free. He starts picturing himself finding new cheese, and that image gives him strength. Little by little, his fear of change starts to shrink.

Then comes the key moment: Haw decides to act. He knows it won’t be easy. He’s weak from hunger and rusty from sitting still so long, but he finally understands that if he keeps waiting, nothing will change. He asks himself the question that will guide him for the rest of the story: “What would I do if I weren’t afraid?”

So he laces up his shoes and leaves Hem behind.

Messages on the wall

As Haw enters the maze again, he starts leaving messages on the walls—simple notes that capture what he’s learning as he goes. He hopes Hem might read them someday, but they’re also reminders for himself:

If you do not change, you can become extinct.
What would you do if you weren’t afraid?
Smell the cheese often so you know when it’s getting old.
Movement in a new direction helps you find new cheese.
The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese.

These phrases become a kind of guide—breadcrumbs for anyone trying to navigate change. And as Haw keeps moving, something surprising happens: he starts to enjoy the journey. It’s not easy, but it feels alive. The fear fades. The hope grows.

Eventually, he finds it

After facing a few dead ends and disappointments, Haw finally discovers Cheese Station N—a massive store of fresh, new cheese. And who’s already there? Sniff and Scurry. They’d found it a while ago, because they didn’t wait. They just acted.

Haw is thrilled, not just because of the cheese, but because of what he’s learned. He realizes that letting go of the past is what allowed him to create a better future. He writes one last message on the wall:

Change happens: they keep moving the cheese.
Anticipate change: get ready for the cheese to move.
Monitor change: smell the cheese often.
Adapt quickly: the sooner you let go of old cheese, the sooner you can enjoy new cheese.
Change: move with the cheese.
Enjoy change: savor the taste of new cheese!
Be ready to change quickly and enjoy it again and again: they keep moving the cheese.

And what about Hem?

Haw hopes his old friend might still come. He even considers going back for him—but he knows Hem must make that decision himself. No one can do it for him. Change requires courage, and courage is personal.

So Haw keeps exploring. And now, instead of dreading change, he’s ready for it. He inspects the cheese daily. He stays alert. He even ventures back into the maze now and then—just to stay prepared.

Because he knows one thing for sure now: They always move the cheese.

How “Who Moved My Cheese?” Helps You Understand Career Change in a Whole New Way

Change. It’s the word that shows up in almost every career conversation—whether you’re switching jobs, adjusting to a new boss, leading a transformation, or simply trying to keep up with what feels like never-ending updates in tools, trends, and priorities.

But the real question is: How do you understand change when it shows up in your own life or career?
That’s where Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson offers a surprising amount of clarity.

This little book might seem simple at first glance—a story about four characters in a maze, searching for cheese—but it’s packed with insight.

And when you read it through a career lens, it becomes even more powerful.

Because the truth is, every career is a maze, and everyone’s chasing their own version of cheese: success, security, fulfillment, recognition, growth.

Here are the different ways the book helps us understand change—and how those lessons can completely reshape how we think about our careers.

1. Change Is Inevitable, Not Personal

One of the most striking lessons from the book is that change isn’t out to get us—it’s just part of the process. When Hem and Haw return to Cheese Station C and find the cheese gone, they’re outraged. Hem especially takes it personally. He believes the cheese was his, that it was wrongfully taken, that someone is to blame.

Sound familiar?

We often do this in our careers. A promotion we didn’t get. A project that shifted direction. A reorg that blindsided our team. We take it to heart. We feel betrayed. We resist. But as the book shows, cheese will move. It always does. Not because someone is targeting us—but because environments evolve. Strategies shift. Markets change. And organizations have to move with them.

Once we stop treating change as a personal insult, we start seeing it as a professional reality.

2. Everyone Responds to Change Differently

Sniff, Scurry, Hem, and Haw aren’t just cute characters—they represent the four types of responses we often see in the workplace.

Sniff senses change early. He pays attention to signs and starts preparing before it’s urgent.
Scurry moves into action fast. He doesn’t overanalyze—he just adapts.
Hem resists change. He believes things should stay the way they were.
Haw hesitates but learns to adapt. His growth journey is the heart of the book.

In any company, on any team, you’ll see all of these behaviors. And if we’re honest, we’ve probably been each one of them at some point.

Understanding this helps us become more empathetic. If you’re leading people through change, recognizing who’s feeling stuck (like Hem) and who’s already sprinting ahead (like Scurry) allows you to guide the transition more thoughtfully. If you’re an individual contributor, knowing your default reaction gives you a chance to pause, reflect, and maybe choose a different path than you usually would.

3. Comfort Zones Are the Real Trap

The story hits a nerve when it shows how Hem and Haw get comfortable with their cheese. They stop checking the supply. They move closer to the station. They assume it will always be there.

In careers, comfort feels good—until it becomes a trap. Staying in the same role too long. Relying on one skillset. Ignoring signals that your company is changing. Many professionals wait too long to reskill, re-evaluate, or rethink their path because they’re hoping the cheese will last.

But comfort is not the same as security.

The book teaches us that what feels secure today may be gone tomorrow—and that keeping our shoes on (being ready to move) is the real safety net.

4. Fear Is Normal—But So Is Growth

One of the most human moments in the book is when Haw starts imagining life with new cheese. He’s still afraid, but he begins to laugh at his old habits, and that humor helps him move forward. That’s the turning point.

Fear is inevitable in career transitions. Whether you’re applying for a new job, taking on a leadership role, or switching industries, there’s always that voice in your head: What if it doesn’t work? What if I’m not ready? What if I fail?

But like Haw discovers, fear shrinks when you move. Action is what makes the difference. You don’t have to feel brave to take the first step—you just have to take it.

And the more you move, the more confident you become. The maze becomes familiar again. You build momentum. You learn.

5. It’s OK to Outgrow Your Old Cheese

This one’s subtle but important. Part of the reason Haw is able to move on is that he realizes maybe that old cheese wasn’t the best thing for him anymore. He had outgrown it—but hadn’t realized it until it was gone.

In our careers, we often hold onto roles, companies, or ambitions that no longer fit. Not because they’re still good for us—but because they’re familiar. The title. The salary. The prestige. The routine.

But growth often means letting go of the old to make space for something new. And that’s not failure—it’s evolution.

The book helps us understand that moving on isn’t a loss. It’s a sign that we’re growing.

6. Keep Your Running Shoes Nearby

One of the biggest takeaways from Who Moved My Cheese? is this: Be ready. Don’t wait for the cheese to disappear to start thinking about what’s next.

In career terms, that means always being aware of the landscape. Keep learning. Stay curious. Build relationships beyond your team. Watch for trends. Don’t assume your current skills will always be enough.

Keeping your “running shoes” nearby means being ready—not in a paranoid way, but in a proactive way. The best career moves are often made by people who saw the change coming before it hit.

Who Moved My Cheese? might be a tiny book, but it offers a huge shift in mindset. It doesn’t promise control over change—but it gives us something more valuable: a better way to think about it.

In careers, we’re all navigating a maze. Sometimes we’re lost. Sometimes we’re sprinting. And sometimes we’re sitting in the corner, hoping things go back to how they were.

This book is a reminder that the cheese will move, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s just life inviting you to grow, stretch, and find something even better.

So next time you feel the ground shifting in your career, ask yourself the same question Haw did:
“What would I do if I weren’t afraid?”

That might just be where the new cheese begins.

4 Key Ideas from Who Moved My Cheese

The Cheese Metaphor

Cheese represents anything you want in life—like a job, love, money, or peace. When it disappears, your reaction reveals how well you deal with change. Recognizing your “cheese” helps you understand what drives your behavior.

Characters Within Us

Sniff, Scurry, Hem, and Haw aren’t just story characters—they’re parts of all of us. Some parts resist change, some fear it, some prepare for it, and some charge ahead. The story helps you spot which part is showing up in you.

Change Will Come

Cheese always moves. That’s the core truth of the book. Life won’t stay the same forever, and holding on to the past only makes it harder. Accepting that change is constant is the first step to handling it well.

Writing on the Wall

Throughout the maze, one character writes down lessons as he learns them. These simple phrases become a guide for navigating change. They act like signposts—reminders that you’re not lost, just learning.

6 Main Lessons from Who Moved My Cheese

Don’t Wait Too Long

Staying stuck in the hope that things will go back to “normal” can cost you valuable time. Notice when things are changing and don’t be afraid to take action sooner.

Let Go of Fear

Fear is often the only thing standing between you and what’s next. The book shows that most of the fear is in your head—and moving forward is how you shrink it.

Check Your Cheese Often

Complacency leads to surprise. Stay alert to shifts in your environment, whether it’s your job, your relationships, or your goals. Change often gives subtle clues before it hits.

Act Before You’re Ready

You don’t need all the answers before you move. Sometimes just taking the first step gives you the clarity you were waiting for. Motion creates confidence.

Laugh at Yourself

One of the characters finds that humor helps him move forward. Being able to laugh at your own hesitation and mistakes makes the process easier—and keeps you humble.

Stay Curious

The maze isn’t a threat—it’s a place of discovery. When you shift your mindset from “What if I fail?” to “What might I find?”, change becomes something to explore, not fear.

My Book Highlights & Quotes

If you do not change, you can become extinct

When you stop being afraid, you feel good

The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese

See what you’re doing wrong, laugh at it, change, and do better

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

What would you do if you weren’t afraid?

Life moves on and so should we

Conclusion

In conclusion, “Who Moved My Cheese?” is a powerful and timeless book that has helped millions of readers around the world cope with change and uncertainty.

By embracing the lessons of this parable, we can learn to let go of our fears and anxieties about change, and instead, approach it with an open mind and a willingness to adapt.

As we navigate the challenges of our lives and careers, we can use the wisdom of “Who Moved My Cheese?” to find new opportunities and grow in ways we never thought possible.

So, if you haven’t read this book yet, we highly recommend it as a valuable resource for anyone looking to thrive in today’s constantly changing world.

If you are the author or publisher of this book, and you are not happy about something on this review, please, contact me and I will be happy to collaborate with you!

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