An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change in Work and in Your Life

-Spencer Johnson

What you are afraid of is never as bad as what you imagine. The fear you let build up in your mind is worse than

the situation that actually exists.- Spencer Johnson

Metaphor: Cheese

Cheese = Wants in Life• a good job• a loving relationship• good health• money• spiritual peace of

mind

Metaphor: Characters

4 characters (two mice: Sniff and Scurry / two Little people: Hem and

Haw), each representing a

different personality trait, driver of the

character’s response to situations, in the case

CHANGE.

Sniff & ScurryRepresent the

simple parts of our personality.

Hem & Haw: Represent the complex and “human” parts of

our personality.

The Four Personalities

Due to the complex nature of individual behavior, we act differently in situations dealing with CHANGE…

sometimes we act similar to Sniff: who sniffs out change early and anticipates change, or Scurry: who scurries into action, or Hem: who denies and resists change for fear of the unknown, or Haw: who learns

to adapt in time and sees that change can lead to something better.

Lesson # 1

They keep moving the cheese. Change is inevitable; thus, staying proactive and learning to

understand, detect, and adapt to Change

is CRITICAL!

ChangeHappens!

Lesson # 2

Get ready for the cheese to move. Expect things to

change so that you are not surprised and thereby cope

with / adapt to change effectively!

AnticipateChange!

Lesson # 3

Smell the cheese often so you

know when its getting old. You

can anticipate change by staying abreast of what is

going on.

Monitor Change!

Lesson # 4

The quicker you let go of old

cheese, the sooner you can enjoy new cheese. Respond to

change positively, accept it and take

action to adapt effectively!

Adapt to Change Quickly!

Lesson # 5

Move with the cheese. To adapt

to change, get creative and take

initiative proactively.

Change!

Lesson # 6

Enjoy the taste of new cheese. Feel happy and proud

about your accomplishments and hard work in

dealing with change and making it a

positive experience.

EnjoyChange!

Lesson # 7

Remember that change is inevitable, so stay proactive and

take initiative for successfully adapting

to change and reaping the rewards

that come with positive experience!

Be Ready to Change

Quickly & Enjoy It Again!

The Handwriting on the Wall

• Change Happens• Anticipate Change• Monitor Change

• Adapt to Change Quickly• Change

• Enjoy Change!• Be Ready to Change Quickly & Enjoy It

Again!