ReactionPaper - Who Move My Cheese

Name: Rocel I.
Navaja MBA 604- Organizational

Behavior
Reaction Paper for Who Move My Cheese
Who Moved My Cheese is a short, light-hearted parable about the different ways
we respond to life's changes and how doing so skillfully can help us find more success
and happiness in our lives - by best-selling author, Dr. Spencer Johnson. It follows the
physical and emotional journeys of two mice (Sniff and Scurry) and two little people
(Hem and Haw) as they search, find, lose, and must rediscover their supply of cheese,
in a large, twisting maze.
Johnson’s bits of cheese are a metaphor for what you want in life – a good job, a
loving relationship, money, possessions, health, or spiritual peace of mind. The maze is
where you look for it – the organization you work for, the family or community you live
in. And the problem is that no stash of cheese lasts forever. Life changes, cheese
supplies run out and we can all find ourselves suddenly cheeseless, whether we like it
or not. Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw’s stories illustrate the importance of and an amazing
way to deal with change. And though it’s disarmingly simple (the quicker you let go of
old cheese the better; put on your running shoes and keep hunting for new cheese).
It is a simple, short, and very interesting book based on a parable, which

revolves around 4 characters who represent human’s way of responding to changes.
You will learn to adopt new changes through this interesting story. In the story, “cheese”
represents what you want to have in your life like a good job, relationship, etc. and
“maze” is where you look for what you want like company, your family, etc.
The four imaginary characters are Sniff and Scurry who are the two mice while
Hem & Haw are people little as mice but act like today’s human being. Each of them
has special characteristics. Sniff detects the change early. Scurry acts and move with
quick short steps. Hem afraid of change and resist to change. Haw learns and adopt in
time when he sees changing can lead to something better.
It captures and explores powerful and resonant life lessons that could have been
written just for you. We can get lessons after reading the book. First, don’t hold your
cheese because change will happen. We need to embrace change. Change is the only
constant in the world. Whether it is your job or business, things change over time and
you need to change as well. Otherwise, you will lose your cheese like Hem in the story.
People or businesses who didn’t changed over time lost their customers. Nokia is good
example of it because they did not adapt change and they became obsolete over time. I
can also relate it to my personal experience. I consider my job in the hotel industry as
my cheese. It was my bread and butter for almost 9 years but due to pandemic I need to
embrace that hospitality industry is not doing well. I need to adapt and explore new
industry to survive. I don’t limit myself in exploring new things coming my way. Due to
pandemic, I left my comfort zone and explore new job opportunity in the government
through Philippine Statistics Authority. Our project is the Philippine National
Identification System and was assigned in Danao City and Barangay Inayawan in Cebu
City. I was employed by PSA for six months. I met different people from all walks of life.
It’s quite challenging but a fulfilling thing to do. Currently, I am working in Lear
Corporation as Travel and Entertainment Accountant. I did not allow myself to be
stagnant and I am willing to take a risk in everything I do. We need to embrace change
and open for all possibilities for personal development.
Second, don’t react but we need to respond. When cheese disappeared Hem
and Haw reacted to the change. They reacted with blaming each other and did nothing
to change conditions. Instead they could have done things which were in their control.
Similarly, as change happen, we need to look for new opportunities & ways to grow. I
respond to change by looking for new job opportunities and allowing myself to grow as a
person.
Third, we need to overcome our fears. You might stay where you are because of
your fear like Haw. But when you imagine your good fortune that will come with
adopting change, your fear will disappear. Remember the Haw’s words,” What would
you do if you weren’t afraid?”. I also overcome my fears, by believing in myself. I always
have a belief that if others can do why can’t I? I will not allow my fears to dominate that
hinders my capacity to explore new things. We need to have a positive attitude and
willingness to accept new challenges.
Fourth is to stay aware. There are some people like Sniff and Scurry who always
stay aware of changing situations. These are the people who notice the change earlier,
adopt it and enjoy the benefits. We must do the same. Look for changes that will
happen in the next 5-10 years. Start learning new skills and moving your business. This
is the lesson that very relatable. I should be ready for the future. I will be more proactive
in developing my skills and abilities by studying my Masters degree. I know that it would
be useful in my professional growth and my future.
Fifth, we should enjoy change. Many people think of change is bad. They always
look in the past. Change is not always bad. In fact, whatever technology we are
enjoying now is the result of new changes happened over time. When you admit change
and think positively about it, you will start enjoying the change. We need to have
positive mindset about change. It will be an opportunity for development. We will treat
change as indication of progress. Sometimes change is painful, but we need to
remember that “No pain No Gain”. We need to experience pain from those changes for
us to grow. It’s rewarding on our part that after the pain, we gain a stronger personality
and better version of ourselves.
Our circumstances are constantly changing, even if we don’t want them to, and
the secret to long-lasting happiness is to enjoy the good, easy times when we get them
while staying alert to and being ready to change with new circumstances when they
come instead of resenting and/or resisting them and being left behind.
We all strive towards outcomes at work, at home and in our communities
because we believe they will make us happy. It might be a good job, a loving
relationship, money, or possessions. It might be better health or spiritual peace of mind.
And it can feel wonderful when we eventually get them. Those things become
cornerstones in our best-laid plans. Yet life is constantly changing and sometimes it
blocks things we expect, feel we deserve or have worked so long and so hard to
accomplish. But because we fear starting again, looking foolish or that we might end up
somewhere worse, we often don’t want to change when things begin changing around
us. We deny change has arrived or was coming. We get frustrated and start to blame
others. We cling to what was, instead of what simply now is. And the more important
whatever’s-at-risk feels, the more desperately we try to hold on. We seethe with
impotent stress and vexation. We think more about what could go wrong than go right.
We let our fears grow out of control then control us. But the fact is, like it or not, that the
world is constantly changing. And while not all change is good or necessary
it always creates new opportunities, whether we recognize them immediately or not.
That’s why it’s important to learn how to deal with change. That’s why it pays to learn
how to adapt to new circumstances.
Change is inevitable. Effective people monitor change, anticipate it, adapt to it,
learn to embrace, and enjoy it. If you do not change you can become extinct. If you do
change you won’t just suffer less stress and unhappiness, you’ll enjoy more success
and fulfilment in every part of your life and your work. It is a bestseller everyone can
learn from and enjoy. Whether you’re processing change or preparing for the inevitable
this book will remind you that you’re not alone and that there’s light at the end of the
tunnel.
Enjoy change! Savor the adventure and enjoy the taste of new cheese!

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Name: Rocel I.

Navaja MBA 604- Organizational

It is a simple, short, and very interesting book based on a parable, which

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