One Sentence Summary
This motivational book tells a simple story about how to embrace change and move on to find the ‘Cheese’ in life that will make us happy.
Book Genre
Who Moved My Cheese? is a self-help, business and motivational book.
Main Topic of the Book
The main topic of Who Moved My Cheese? is embracing change and finding the ‘Cheese’ in life that will keep us feeling happy and satisfied.
Key Ideas
- Change is inevitable, especially in the workplace. Change can be both positive and negative, but it is important to recognize it quickly and adapt to it before it’s too late.
- Chasing the ‘Cheese’ can bring success. The book uses the metaphor of ‘Cheese’ to represent what people want in life, such as success, money, love, health, etc. It is important to recognize and go after what we want in life.
- The choices you make are up to you. The characters in the book come to different conclusions on how to react to change. It is important to recognize that we must be proactive and make decisions for ourselves.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
- Introduction. The introduction introduces the two main characters, Sniff and Scurry. These two mice are stuck in a maze, trying to find “Cheese” which is used as an analogy for success.
- The Story. The story follows Sniff and Scurry as they search the maze for ‘Cheese’. Along the way, they come across a variety of obstacles and have to make decisions on how to react to them.
- The Characters. There are four characters in the book: Sniff and Scurry, two mice who represent creatures that act instinctively; and Hem and Haw, two “little people” who represent humans who think before they act.
- The Message. The message of the book is to not be afraid of change and to learn to adapt quickly. It also emphasizes the importance of taking risks and going after what you want in life, while also understanding that failure is a part of the journey.
Key Takeaways
- Understand that change is inevitable and can be positive. Change is inevitable, and it is important to react quickly and adapt in order to be successful.
- Make decisions for yourself. Each character in the book comes up with different conclusions on how to react to change. It is important to not be afraid to make mistakes, but also to recognize when it is time to move on.
- Go after what you want. The book emphasizes the importance of chasing after your goals and not being afraid to take risks to achieve them.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Spencer Johnson is an American doctor and author who wrote Who Moved My Cheese?. He is best known for his motivational books and for introducing the business world to the concept of the “5 Minute Manager”. Johnson has written a variety of books, including The Mice and the Motorcycle, The Present, and The One Minute Manager.
Target Audience
Who Moved My Cheese? is aimed at individuals looking for guidance on how to embrace change and deal with uncertainty. It is a book targeted at those who are at a crossroads in life or who are looking for motivation to move forward and succeed.
Publisher and First Publication Date
Who Moved My Cheese? was first published by Putnam in 1998.