I love the book Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson. It was always included in my required reading when I taught at a local university. It’s one of those books that packs a HUGE punch in very few pages. The story revolves around two mice and two “little people” navigating a maze in search of cheese. The cheese represents what we want in life—happiness, success, security—and the maze is the journey to get there. The catch? The cheese doesn’t always stay in one place, and when it moves, you have two choices: adapt or stay stuck.
What hits home for me is how relatable the story is. We all get comfortable in routines, expecting things to stay the same. But life throws curveballs—jobs end, markets shift, relationships evolve. The key takeaway? Pay attention to the signs.
Why Paying Attention Matters
Change rarely happens overnight. There are always breadcrumbs leading up to it, whether it’s a dip in your sales numbers, a shift in your personal relationships, or that gut feeling that something isn’t quite right. Ignoring those signs because it’s easier to stay in your comfort zone can lead to bigger problems down the road. I don't want you to be left woefully unprepared. .
In the book, the mice, Sniff and Scurry, notice the cheese supply is getting smaller. Instead of waiting for it to disappear completely, they prepare and move on to find more cheese. Meanwhile, the little people, Hem and Haw, resist change, cling to the past, and struggle.
The lesson here? Be a Sniff or a Scurry. Pay attention to what’s happening around you and take action when you see change coming. It’s not always easy, but the sooner you adapt, the better off you’ll be.
How to Stay Ahead
Check Your Cheese Regularly: Evaluate your situation. Is your job still fulfilling? Are your goals still aligned with what you want?
Listen to Your Gut: If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t dismiss those small warning signs.
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: Change is inevitable. The more you embrace it, the less daunting it becomes.
Keep Exploring: Always be on the lookout for new opportunities. You don’t have to wait for the cheese to run out to start moving.
Final Thoughts
Change can feel scary, but staying stuck is even scarier. Take a moment to look at your own life. Is your cheese supply running low? Are you ignoring the signs? It might be time to start preparing for a shift.
Let’s chat! Whether you’re navigating career changes, personal growth, or just trying to figure out your next step, I’d love to help you map it out. Reach out, and let’s find your new cheese together.
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