who moved my cheese?

Johnson, Spencer. “Who Moved My Cheese?” New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1998. Print.
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Who Moved My Cheese?
Summary
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson includes four characters in which two are mice and two are human beings. The mice are identified as Scurry and Sniff while the humans, who are of equal size to the mice, are identified as Haw and Hem. The characters reside in a maze whereby it is necessary for them to locate cheese for their survival. Scurry and Sniff have a simple method of finding the cheese that involves examining each path till they locate cheese. However, the humans hold the view that they are more rational than the mice and hence employ complex methods. On a particular day, the party manages to locate a huge amount of cheese in a particular spot. They perceive that the cheese is sufficient for them and that it will last for a long time and hence spend plenty of time on the spot. The human beings develop arrogance in which they brag about the cheese, fail to appreciate it and hence sticking to their old behavior. However, the mice are ready for any change and hence ready to move in case the cheese finishes. The cheese finishes which prompts the mice to move to look for more. The humans, on the other hand, do not foresee the end of the cheese as a result of their arrogance and hence do not move when it finishes but rather remain in that particular spot with the fear if what might be beyond them. They perceive that the cheese was entitled to them and hence the phrase, “Who moved my cheese?” (Johnson).

However, Hem becomes enlightened to move forward and look for more cheese. Haw, on the other hand, wants the finished cheese such that he refuses the cheese that Hem manages to bring. Eventually, through his exploration, Hem manages to find plenty of cheese in which Scurry and Sniff have already set base. Hem then writes all the lessons that he had learned on a wall regarding the essence of change. Furthermore, he develops the habit of exploring the maze to ensure that he does not run out of cheese and holds the view that Haw will have to decide to experience change on his own (Johnson).
Critical Analysis
Through the four characters, the book addresses the concept of change and why it is necessary for progress and success. It can be viewed that the concept of the cheese refers to any desire that people hope for; desires such as wealth, happiness, success, popularity and so forth. The key ideas, as highlighted by Hem after his enlightenment, which are useful for any individual or business that desires progress include; change is inevitable, and there is the need to get ready for any change, monitor change, and adapt quickly to changes. Also, there is the need to enjoy the change and be prepared to quickly adapt to any change while enjoying it. From an individual perspective, the book exhibits value in regard to the lessons that it presents through the characters. The lessons have widened my scope on the idea of change and the need for getting out of the comfort zone and explore more opportunities to achieve progress.
One of the lessons is the need to remain vigilant and be prepared for any change. Scurry and Sniff are described as vigilant whereby they foresee change and are ready to act once the change occurs. However, Hem and Haw relax once they perceive that they have succeeded such that they fail to see the inevitable (Johnson). The lesson applies to businesses that strive for success and growth. It presents the need for preparedness and being ready to adjust to change as success once achieved has to be maintained.
The second lesson entails complicating situations in which, through the characters, the author illustrates that there lacks the need to employ complex methods as means of getting out of a difficult situation. It can be viewed that humans tend to employ complex analogies on problems that may be solved using simpler solutions. In the story, Haw prefers drilling through the walls to locate the old cheese rather than take the risk of engaging in another journey to find new cheese (Johnson). In other words, he employs double the effort to locate the old cheese in which his efforts fail to pay off. The view is that there is need to take risks and engage in a new activity rather than stick to an opportunity that does not bear any fruit. Also, the author addresses the view of sticking to old habits. Through Haw, Spencer illustrates the human nature or rather the habit of sticking to a comfort zone whereby an individual gets used to a certain way of living and hence adapting to change becomes a complex issue. The lesson applies to businesses especially in an environment where change is inevitable and the competition is high. To ensure success and sustainability, an organization has to be flexible enough to incorporate change and engage in risks rather than sticking to a single line of thinking.
From a general perspective, Spencer focuses on the concept of change and its necessity if success is to be obtained. Through the characters, he illustrates the consequences associated with those willing to adapt to change and those not willing to explore new opportunities. The overall idea is that change is an inevitable construct and hence the need for vigilance and alertness to ensure progress and success.