How do you react when your Cheese is moved?

On how change isn't as scary as it seems by analyzing the life of Haw, Hem, Sniff and Scurry.

Heyyyy guys! How are you doing? I have been quite alright and trying to take breaks from time to time no matter how much is on my plate because either ways, my body is going to take the break for me if I don’t, lol.

I would like to clarify something I said in my previous newsletter. I mentioned that a melancholy person is often sad, critical and perfectionist in nature but it doesn’t really apply to some people. Especially if their secondary temperament defies the natural tendencies of the melancholy. Although, the word “melancholy” itself is somehow synonymous to being sad (a random search on Google will confirm this), they are super amazing people —intelligent, talented, analytical and natural problem solvers. Infact, most renowned Innovators and Scientists were Melancholy, and their perfectionist and analytical nature nature helps them deliver the one of the best works.

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From the title, you have probably guessed that this episode is about the book Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr Spencer Johnson. And yes, it is. If you have read the book, then you will be able to relate to the story. And if you haven’t? I am going to explain anyways so it doesn’t really matter.

The book is about two mice (Sniff and Scurry) and two little people (Haw and Hem)—the size of a mice, who literally spent their lives looking for Cheese to survive. Every morning, they tie their running shoes and go into the maze in search of Cheese. The maze is filled with so many uncertainties and danger but they had to find the cheese to survive. The Cheese meant different things to each of them.

Image from Remo Knops

The mice which had simple brains, used the trial and error method — they would sniff the maze (Sniff) and scurry off into corners (Scurry) that smelt like cheese. They would sometimes bump into walls, go in a wrong direction or even get lost. However, the little humans who had complex brain would analyze with their critical thinking abilities and emotions. Sometimes they did great, sometimes their emotions clouded their thoughts and complicated their lives at the maze.

They soon found a Cheese Station C with the biggest cheese they had ever seen! The two mice quickly put off their running shoes and hung it around their necks —so they could get them quickly if they needed them, and dug in. Every morning, they would find their way to the Cheese Station C and it became a routine for them. However, the little people woke up later and dressed up slower to headed towards Cheese Station C because they knew they would always find their Cheese there. When they get there, they would put off their running shoes. They became so comfortable.

One morning, they four of them got to the Cheese Station and realized there was no cheese. Scurry and Sniff anticipated this as they would often sniff the Cheese every morning, so they noticed it was getting smaller. They did not over analyze as they immediately put on their running shoes and went back into the maze. To them, the situation had changed and they needed to move with the change. However, Haw and Hem’s reaction to the situation wasn’t productive. They ranted about how someone suddenly moved their cheese and how unfair it was. They would return to the Cheeseless Station C every morning hoping that somehow, they would find their Cheese. They soon became weak and frustrated due to lack of Cheese.

Haw suddenly realized all that has happened and laughed at himself. He knew the cheese would never come back so he decided to go back into the maze to look for Cheese. He tried to convince Hem but he was so comfortable in the Cheeseless Station C that he dreaded going back into the maze filled with so much uncertainties. What if he never finds another Cheese? He somehow still believed that the Cheese would come back. Haw, on the other hand, was also scared but he went into the maze anyway because he knew the cheese was never going to come back. While Hem was thinking “Who moved my cheese?” Haw wondered, “Why didn’t I get up and move with the Cheese?'“

While in the maze, Haw was scared as he remembered how dangerous it was in the maze but he thought to himself, “It is better to be scared than remain in the Cheeseless Station C”. Haw would often imagine himself in a station with Cheese and his imagination kept him going. Haw soon came across a big station with different kinds of Cheese at the entrance but found it empty. Apparently, someone who had gotten there before him had eaten all the cheese and left just few crumbs at the entrance. If he had moved with the change earlier, he would have met the Cheese.

At some point, he went back to Cheese station C to convince Hem to come with him but he was still angry and comfortable in the station. He was scared of the maze and he allowed himself to be run by his fears. He still hoped his Cheese would be restored.

Haw continued his journey into the maze and after what felt like a long time, he found a Cheese Station N with the largest supply of cheese he had ever seen! He went into the Station and found Sniff and Scurry. From their robust stomach, it looked like they had been there for a while. He quickly took off his shoes and hung it around his neck this time, and dug in. He also noted to sniff his cheese everyday to detect any changes.

He then wondered if Hem ever left the station C. He wanted to go back to station C and show his friend how to get out of his predicament, but he realized he had already tried to get Hem to change. Hem had to find his own ways beyond his comfort and past his fears. No one could do it for him.

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The concept of Moving With the Cheese means different things to different people. It could mean getting too comfortable with a particular habit or lifestyle. Or getting too comfortable in your job you forget to Sniff changes likely to happen (like being laid off?). It could also mean learning skills (or upgrading them) to make yourself relevant in the society.

It could be applied to business too. For example, the producers of computers constantly had to move with change. From desktop computers to laptops and even tablets, they constantly had to evolve with the environment. If there is a new type of device, they would have to change again. That is probably why most phone manufacturing companies started producing phones with about three (or more?) cameras since Apple launched iPhone 11 pro max, or why Pepsi had to make 10% extra bottle when Bigi Cola evaded the market with 60cl bottle. They didn’t want to be left behind. It is safe to say most companies that aren’t in operation anymore was as a result of their resistance to change.

Now you have seen that change is not as scary as it seems but it is in fact important to move with the cheese and constantly sniff your cheese.

I hope you apply this story to different areas of your life as Cheese means different things to different people. Also, I do hope you constantly reinvent yourself, as many times as needed.

If you enjoyed this newsletter or found it helpful in anyway, kindly share it with your friends so they can benefit too.

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See you around,

Yosola.

P.S. Here is a 13 minute video by the author illustrating the story even better. Enjoy!

P.P.S. The newsletter is bi-weekly. Apologies if you were expecting a publication last week.

P.P.P.S. I changed the title about four times before settling with this. I should publish it now to hold myself from changing it again lol.