summary ofWho Moved My CheeseBook by Spencer Johnson, MD

first KEY POINT

Getting too comfortable with the status quo leads to complacency

Imagine four characters in a giant maze, searching for cheese. Sniff and Scurry are rats, while Hem and Haw are little people — human but the same size as the rats.Every day, they wake up and walk through the maze, looking for cheese. While mice act instinctively, the little people use their more developed brains to reflect on their chosen path. Still, one day all four find the great station C, packed with cheese.After that, the little people started to wake up a little later and calmly returned to the same spot, confident that they would have cheese for the rest of their lives. They moved closer to station C, starting a new social life. They felt happy and secure.On the other hand, the mice continued waking up early every day, always following the same path. They would arrive at station C and enthusiastically inspect the cheese to ensure its good condition.

From this, we can see a routine in the characters’ lives. They know that cheese is their comfort source. After all, it’s what they sought. Likewise, you should identify your cheese.Of course, cheese is a metaphor. It can stand for many things, starting with a good relationship and finishing with sound mental health. In the maze, you look for what you want, perhaps the company where you work, your family, or your community. The problem is that the cheese doesn’t stay in one spot — it keeps moving.Stay tuned, and you will learn to anticipate change and avoid getting complacent in your comfort zone.