WhoMovedMyCheese?

AnA-MazingWayToDealWithChangeInYourWorkAndInYourLife

WhoMovedMyCheese?isasimpleparablethatrevealsprofoundtruthsaboutchange.Itisanamusingandenlighteningstoryoffourcharacterswholiveina'Maze'andlookfor'Cheese'tonourishthemandmakethemhappy.

TwoaremicenamedSniffandScurry.Andtwoarelittlepeople'-beingsthesizeofmicewholookandactalotlikepeople.TheirnamesareHemandHaw.'Cheese'isametaphorforwhatyouwanttohaveinlife-whetherit'sagoodjob,alovingrelationship,money,apossession,goodhealth,orspiritualpeaceofmind.And'TheMaze'iswhereyoulookforwhatyouwant-theorganizationyouworkin,orthefamilyorcommunityyoulivein.

Inthestory,thecharactersarefacedwithunexpectedchange.Eventually,oneofthemdealswithitsuccessfully,andwriteswhathehaslearnedfromhisexperienceonthemazewalls.

Whenyoucometosee'TheHandwritingontheWal',youcandiscoverforyourselfhowtodealwithchange,sothatyoucanenjoylessstressandmoresuccess(howeveryoudefineit)inyourworkandinyourlife.

Writtenforallages,thisstorytakeslessthananhourtoread,butitsuniqueinsightscanlastforalifetime.

WhoMovedMyCheese?

Contents

PartsofAlofUs

AGathering:Chicago

WhoMovedMyCheese?:TheStory

FourCharacters

FindingCheese

NoCheese!

TheMice:Sniff&Scurry

TheLittlepeople:Hem&Haw

Meanwhile,BackIntheMaze

GettingBeyondFear

EnjoyingTheAdventure

MovingWithTheCheese

TheHandwritingOnTheWal

TastingNewCheese

EnjoyingChange!

ADiscussion:LaterThatSameDay

NewCheese!

PartsofAllofUs

TheSimpleandTheComplexThefourimaginarycharacters

depictedinthisstory—themice:"Sniff"and"Scurry;'andtheLittlepeople:"Hem"and"Haw"—areintendedtorepresentthesimpleandthecomplexpartsofourselves,regardlessof

ourage,gender,raceornationality.

Sometimeswemayactlike

Sniff

Whosniffsoutchangeearly,or

Scurry

Whoscurriesintoaction,or

Hem

Whodeniesandresistschangeashefears

itwillleadtosomethingworse,or

Haw

Wholearnstoadaptintimewhenhesees

changingcanleadtosomethingbetter!

Whateverpartsofuswechoosetouse,

weallsharesomethingincommon:

aneedtofindourwayintheMaze

andsucceedinchangingtimes.

AGathering

Chicago

OnesunnySundayinChicago,severalformerclassmates,whoweregoodfriendsinschool,gatheredforlunch,havingattendedtheirhighschoolreunionthenightbefore.Theywantedtohearmoreaboutwhatwashappeningineachother'slives.Afteragooddealofkidding,andagoodmeal,theysettledintoaninterestingconversation.

Angela,whohadbeenoneofthemostpopularpeopleintheclass,said,"LifesureturnedoutdifferentlythanIthoughtitwouldwhenwewereinschool.Alothaschanged."

"Itcertainlyhas,"Nathanechoed.Theyknewhehadgoneintohisfamily'sbusiness,whichhadoperatedprettymuchthesameandhadbeenapartofthelocalcommunityforaslongastheycouldremember.So,theyweresurprisedwhenheseemedconcerned.Heasked,"But,haveyounoticedhowwedon'twanttochangewhenthingschange?"

Carlossaid,"Iguessweresistchanging,becausewe'reafraidofchange."

"Carlos,youwereCaptainofthefootballteam"Jessicasaid."IneverthoughtI'dhearyousayanythingaboutbeingafraid!"

Theyalllaughedastheyrealizedthatalthoughtheyhadgoneoffindifferentdirections—fromworkingathometomanagingcompanies—theywereexperiencingsimilarfeelings.

Everyonewastryingtocopewiththeunexpectedchangesthatwerehappeningtotheminrecent

years.Andmostadmittedthattheydidnotknowagoodwaytohandlethem.

ThenMichaelsaid,"Iusedtobeafraidofchange.Whenabigchangecamealonginourbusiness,wedidn'tknowwhattodo.Sowedidn'tadjustandwealmostlostit.

"Thatis,"hecontinued,"untilIheardafunnylittlestorythatchangedeverything."

"Howso?"Nathanasked.

"Wel,thestorychangedthewayIlookedatchange—fromlosingsomethingtogainingsome-thing—anditshowedmehowtodoit.Afterthat,thingsquicklyimproved—atworkandinmylife.

"AtfirstIwasannoyedwiththeobvioussimplicityofthestorybecauseitsoundedlikesomethingwemighthavebeentoldinschool.

"ThenIrealizedIwasreallyannoyedwithmyselffornotseeingtheobviousanddoingwhatworkswhenthingschange.

"WhenIrealizedthefourcharactersinthestoryrepresentedthevariouspartsofmyself,IdecidedwhoIwantedtoactlikeandIchanged.

"Later,Ipassedthestoryontosomepeopleinourcompanyandtheypasseditontoothers,andsoonourbusinessdidmuchbetter,becausemostofusadaptedtochangebetter.Andlikeme,manypeoplesaidithelpedthemintheirpersonallives.

"Howevertherewereafewpeoplewhosaidtheygotnothingoutofit.Theyeitherknewthelessonsandwerealreadylivingthem,or,morecommonly,theythoughttheyalreadykneweverythinganddidn'twanttolearn.Theycouldn'tseewhysomanyotherswerebenefitingfromit.

"Whenoneofourseniorexecutives,whowashavingdifficultyadapting,saidthestorywasawasteoftime,otherpeoplekiddedhimsayingtheyknewwhichcharacterhewasinthestory—meaningtheonewholearnednothingnewanddidnotchange.'"

"What'sthestory?"Angelaasked.

"It'scalled.WhoMovedMyCheese?"

Thegrouplaughed."IthinkIlikeitalready,"Carlossaid."Wouldyoutellusthestory?Maybewecangetsomethingfromit."

"Sure,"Michaelreplied."I'dbehappyto—itdoesn'ttakelong."Andsohebegan:

WhoMovedMyCheese?TheStory

UNCE,longagoinalandfaraway,therelivedfourlittlecharacterswhoranthroughaMazelookingforcheesetonourishthemandmakethemhappy.

Twoweremice,named"Sniff"and"Scurry"andtwowereLittlepeople—beingswhowereassmallasmicebutwholookedandactedalotlikepeopletoday.Theirnameswere"Hem"and"Haw."

Duetotheirsmallsize,itwouldbeeasynottonoticewhatthefourofthemweredoing.Butifyoulookedcloselyenough,youcoulddiscoverthemostamazingthings!

EverydaythemiceandtheLittlepeoplespenttimeintheMazelookingfortheirownspecialcheese.

Themice.SniffandScurry,possessingsimplebrainsandgoodinstincts,searchedforthehardnibblingcheesetheyliked,asmiceoftendo.

ThetwoLittlepeople,HemandHaw,usedtheircomplexbrains,filedwithmanybeliefsandemotions,tosearchforaverydifferentkindofCheese—withacapitalC—whichtheybelievedwouldmakethemfeelhappyandsuccessful.

AsdifferentasthemiceandLittlepeoplewere,theysharedsomethingincommon:everymorning,theyeachputontheirjoggingsuitsandrunningshoes,lefttheirlittlehomes,andracedoutintotheMazelookingfortheirfavouritecheese.

TheMazewasalabyrinthofcorridorsandchambers,somecontainingdeliciouscheese.Buttherewerealsodarkcornersandblindalleysleadingnowhere.Itwasaneasyplaceforanyonetogetlost.

However,forthosewhofoundtheirway,theMazeheldsecretsthatletthemenjoyabetterlife.Themice,SniffandScurry,usedthesimpletrial-and-errormethodoffindingcheese.Theyrandownonecorridor,andifitprovedempty,theyturnedandrandownanother.Theyrememberedthecorridorsthatheldnocheeseandquicklywentintonewareas.

Sniffwouldsmelloutthegeneraldirectionofthecheese,usinghisgreatnose,andScurrywouldraceahead.Theygotlost,asyoumightexpect,wentoffinthewrongdirectionandoftenbumpedintowalls.

Butafterawhile,theyfoundtheirway.

Likethemice,thetwoLittlepeople,HemandHaw,alsousedtheirabilitytothinkandlearnfromtheirpastexperiences.However,theyreliedontheircomplexbrainstodevelopmoresophisticatedmethodsoffindingCheese.

Sometimestheydidwell,butatothertimestheirpowerfulhumanbeliefsandemotionstookoverandcloudedthewaytheylookedatthings.ItmadelifeintheMazemorecomplicatedandchallenging.

Nonetheless,Sniff,Scurry,HemandHawalldiscovered,intheirownway,whattheywerelookingfor.TheyeachfoundtheirownkindofcheeseonedayattheendofoneofthecorridorsincheeseStationC.

Everymorningafterthat,themiceandtheLittlepeopledressedintheirrunninggearandheadedovertoCheeseStationC.Itwasn'tlongbeforetheyeachestablishedtheirownroutine.

SniffandScurrycontinuedtowakeearlyeverydayandracethroughtheMaze,alwaysfollowingthesameroute.

Whentheyarrivedattheirdestination,themicetookofftheirrunningshoes,tiedthemtogetherandhungthemaroundtheirnecks—sotheycouldgettothemquicklywhenevertheyneededthemagain.

Thentheyenjoyedthecheese.

InthebeginningHemandHawalsoracedtowardCheeseStationCeverymorningtoenjoythetastynewmorselsthatawaitedthem.Butafterawhile,adifferentroutinesetinfortheLittlepeople.

HemandHawawokeeachdayalittlelater,dressedalittleslower,andwalkedtoCheeseStationC.Afterall,theyknewwheretheCheesewasnowandhowtogetthere.

TheyhadnoideawheretheCheesecamefrom,orwhoputitthere.Theyjustassumeditwouldbethere.

AssoonasHemandHawarrivedatCheeseStationCeachmorning,theysettledinandmadethemselvesathome.Theyhunguptheirjoggingsuits,putawaytheirrunningshoesandputontheirslippers.TheywerebecomingverycomfortablenowthattheyhadfoundtheCheese.

"Thisisgreat"Hemsaid."There'senoughCheeseheretolastusforever."

TheLittlepeoplefelthappyandsuccessful,andthoughttheywerenowsecure.

Itwasn'tlongbeforeHemandHawregardedtheCheesetheyfoundatCheeseStationCastheircheese.ItwassuchalargestoreofCheesethattheyeventuallymovedtheirhomestobeclosertoit,andbuiltasociallifearoundit.

Tomakethemselvesfeelmoreathome,HemandHawdecoratedthewallswithsayingsandevendrewpicturesofCheesearoundthemwhichmadethemsmile.Oneread:

SometimesHemandHawwouldtaketheirfriendsbytoseetheirpileofCheeseatCheeseStationC,andpointtoitwithpride,saying,"PrettyniceCheese,hub?"Sometimestheyshareditwiththeirfriendsandsometimestheydidn't.

"WedeservethisCheese,"'Hemsaid."Wecertainlyhadtoworklongandhardenoughtofindit."Hepickedupanicefreshpieceandateit.Afterward,Hemfellasleep,asheoftendid.

EverynighttheLittlepeoplewouldwaddlehome,fullofCheese,andeverymorningtheywouldconfidentlyreturnformore.Thiswentonforquitesometime.

AfterawhileHem'sandHaw'sconfidencegrewintothearroganceofsuccess.Soontheybecamesocomfortabletheydidn'tevennoticewhatwashappening.

Astimewenton.SniffandScurrycontinuedtheirroutine.TheyarrivedearlyeachmorningandsniffedandscratchedandscurriedaroundCheeseStationC,inspectingtheareatoseeiftherehadbeenanychangesfromthedaybefore.Thentheywouldsitdowntonibbleonthecheese.

OnemorningtheyarrivedatCheeseStationCanddiscoveredtherewasnocheese.

Theyweren'tsurprised.SinceSniffandScurryhadnoticedthesupplyofcheesehadbeengettingsmallereveryday,theywerepreparedfortheinevitableandknewinstinctivelywhattodo.

Theylookedateachother,removedtherunningshoestheyhadtiedtogetherandhungconvenientlyaroundtheirnecks,putthemontheirfeetandlacedthemup.

Themicedidnotoveranalyzethings.Tothemice,theproblemandtheanswerwerebothsimple.ThesituationatCheeseStationChadchanged.

So,SniffandScurrydecidedtochange.

TheybothlookedoutintotheMaze.ThenSniffliftedhisnose,sniffed,andnoddedtoScurry,whotookoffrunningthroughtheMaze,whileSnifffollowedasfastashecould.

TheywerequicklyoffinsearchofNewCheese.

Laterthatsameday,HemandHawarrivedatCheeseStationC.Theyhadnotbeenpayingattentiontothesmallchangesthathadbeentakingplaceeachday,sotheytookitforgrantedtheirCheesewouldbethere.Theywereunpreparedforwhattheyfound.

"What!NoCheese?"Hemyelled.Hecontinuedyelling,"NoCheese?NoCheese?"asthoughifheshoutedloudenoughsomeonewouldputitback.

"WhomovedmyCheese?"hehollered.

Finally,heputhishandsonhiships,hisfaceturnedred,andhescreamedatthetopofhisvoice,"It'snotfair!"

Hawjustshookhisheadindisbelief.He,too,hadcountedonfindingCheeseatCheeseStationC.Hestoodthereforalongtime,frozenwithshock.Hewasjustnotreadyforthis.Hemwasyellingsomething,butHawdidn'twanttohearit.Hedidn'twanttodealwithwhatwasfacinghim,sohejusttunedeverythingout.

TheLittlepeople'sbehaviorwasnotveryattractiveorproductive,butitwasunderstandable.FindingCheesewasn'teasy,anditmeantagreatdealmoretotheLittlepeoplethanjusthavingenoughofittoeateveryday.

FindingCheesewastheLittlepeople'swayofgettingwhattheythoughttheyneededtobehappy.

TheyhadtheirownideasofwhatCheesemeanttothem,dependingontheirtaste.

Forsome,findingCheesewashavingmaterialthings.Forothersitwasenjoyinggoodhealthordevelopingaspiritualsenseofwell-being.

ForHaw,Cheesejustmeantfeelingsafe,havingalovingfamilysomedayandlivinginacozycottageonCheddarLane.

ToHem,CheesewasbecomingaBigCheeseinchargeofothersandowningabighouseatopCamembertHil.

BecauseCheesewasimportanttothem,thetwoLittlepeoplespentalongtimetryingtodecidewhattodo.AltheycouldthinkofwastokeeplookingaroundCheeselessStationCtoseeiftheCheesewasreallygone.

WhileSniffandScurryhadquicklymovedon,HemandHawcontinuedtohemandhaw.Theyrantedandravedattheinjusticeofitall.Hawstartedto

getdepressed.WhatwouldhappeniftheCheesewasn'ttheretomorrow?HehadmadefutureplansbasedonthisCheese.

TheLittlepeoplecouldn'tbelieveit.Howcouldthishavehappened?Noonehadwarnedthem.Itwasn'tright.Itwasnotthewaythingsweresupposedtobe.

HemandHawwenthomethatnighthungryanddiscouraged.Butbeforetheyleft.Hawwroteonthewall:

ThenextdayHemandHawlefttheirhomes,andreturnedtoCheeseStationCagain,wheretheystilexpected,somehow,tofindtheirCheese.

Thesituationhadn'tchanged,theCheesewasnolongerthere.TheLittlepeopledidn'tknowwhattodo.HemandHawjuststoodthere,immobilizedliketwostatues.

Hawshuthiseyesastightashecouldandputhishandsoverhisears.Hejustwantedtoblockeverythingout.Hedidn'twanttoknowtheCheesesupplyhadgraduallybeengettingsmaller.Hebelievedithadbeenmovedallofasudden.

Hemanalyzedthesituationoverandoverandeventuallyhiscomplicatedbrainwithitshugebeliefsystemtookhold."Whydidtheydothistome?"

hedemanded."What'sreallygoingonhere?"

Finally,Hawopenedhiseyes,lookedaroundandsaid,"Bytheway,whereareSniffandScurry?Doyouthinktheyknowsomethingwedon't?"Hemscoffed,"Whatwouldtheyknow?"

Hemcontinued,"They'rejustmice.Theyjustrespondtowhathappens.We'reLittlepeople.We'resmarterthanmice.Weshouldbeabletofigurethisout."

"Iknowwe'resmarter,"Hawsaid,"butwedon'tseemtobeactingsmarteratthemoment.

Thingsarechangingaroundhere,Hem.Maybeweneedtochangeanddothingsdifferently."

"Whyshouldwechange?"Hemasked."We'reLittlepeople.We'respecial.

Thissortofthingshouldnothappentous.Orifitdoes,weshouldatleastgetsomebenefits."

"Whyshouldwegetbenefits?"Hawasked.

"Becausewe'reentitled,"Hemclaimed.

"Entitledtowhat?"Hawwantedtoknow.

"We'reentitledtoourCheese."

"Why?"Hawasked.

"Because,wedidn'tcausethisproblem,"Hemsaid."Somebodyelsedidthisandweshouldgetsomethingoutofit."

Hawsuggested,"MaybeweshouldsimplystopanalyzingthesituationsomuchandgofindsomeNewCheese?"

"Ohno,"Hemargued."I'mgoingtogettothebottomofthis."

WhileHemandHawwerestiltryingtodecidewhattodo.SniffandScurrywerealreadywellontheirway.TheywentfartherintotheMaze,upanddowncorridors,lookingforcheeseineveryCheeseStationtheycouldfind.

Theydidn'tthinkofanythingelsebutfindingNewCheese.

Theydidn'tfindanyforsometimeuntiltheyfinallywentintoanareaoftheMazewheretheyhadneverbeenbefore:CheeseStationN.

Theysquealedwithdelight.Theyfoundwhattheyhadbeenlookingfor:agreatsupplyofNewCheese.

Theycouldhardlybelievetheireyes.Itwasthebiggeststoreofcheesethemicehadeverseen.

Inthemeantime,HemandHawwerestilbackinCheeseStationCvaluatingtheirsituation.TheywerenowsufferingfromtheeffectsofhavingnoCheese.

Theywerebecomingfrustratedandangryandwereblamingeachotherforthesituationtheywerein.

NowandthenHawthoughtabouthismicefriends.SniffandScurry,andwonderediftheyhadfoundanycheeseyet.Hebelievedtheymightbehavingahardtime,asrunningthroughtheMazeusuallyinvolvedsomeuncertainty.

Buthealsoknewthatitwaslikelytoonlylastforawhile.

Sometimes,HawwouldimagineSniffandScurryfindingNewCheeseandenjoyingit.HethoughtabouthowgooditwouldbeforhimtobeoutonanadventureintheMaze,andtofindfreshNewCheese.Hecouldalmosttasteit.

ThemoreclearlyHawsawtheimageofhimselffindingandenjoyingtheNewCheese,themorehesawhimselfleavingCheeseStationC.

"Let'sgo!"heexclaimed,allofasudden.

"No"Hemquicklyresponded."Ilikeithere.

It'scomfortable.It'swhatIknow.Besidesit'sdangerousoutthere."

"Noitisn't"Hawargued."We'verunthroughmanypartsoftheMazebefore,andwecandoitagain."

"I'mgettingtoooldforthat,"Hemsaid."AndI'mafraidI'mnotinterestedingettinglostandmakingafoolofmyself.Areyou?"

Withthat.Haw'sfearoffailingreturnedandhishopeoffindingNewCheesefaded.

Soeveryday,theLittlepeoplecontinuedtodowhattheyhaddonebefore.

TheywenttoCheeseStationC,foundnoCheese,andreturnedhome,carryingtheirworriesandfrustrationswiththem.

Theytriedtodenywhatwashappening,butfoundithardertogettosleep,hadlessenergythenextday,andwerebecomingirritable.

Theirhomeswerenotthenurturingplacestheyoncewere.TheLittlepeoplehaddifficultysleepingandwerehavingnightmaresaboutnotfindinganyCheese.

ButHemandHawstilreturnedtoCheeseStationCandwaitedthereeveryday.

Hemsaid,"Youknowifwejustworkharderwe'lfindthatnothinghasreallychangedthatmuch.TheCheeseisprobablynearby.Maybetheyjusthiditbehindthewall."

Thenextday.HemandHawreturnedwithtools.Hemheldthechisel,whileHawbangedonthehammeruntiltheymadeaholeinthewallofCheeseStationC.TheypeeredinsidebutfoundnoCheese.

Theyweredisappointedbutbelievedtheycouldsolvetheproblem.Sotheystartedearlier,stayedlonger,andworkedharder.Butafterawhile,alltheyhadwasalargeholeinthewall.

Hawwasbeginningtorealizethedifferencebetweenactivityandproductivity.

"Maybe,"Hemsaid,"weshouldjustsithereandseewhathappens.SoonerorlatertheyhavetoputtheCheeseback."

Hawwantedtobelievethat.SoeachdayhewenthometorestandreturnedreluctantlywithHemtoCheeseStationC.ButCheeseneverreappeared.

BynowtheLittlepeopleweregrowingweakfromhungerandstress.Hawwasgettingtiredofjustwaitingfortheirsituationtoimprove.HebegantoseethatthelongertheystayedintheirCheeselesssituation,theworseofftheywouldbe.

Hawknewtheywerelosingtheiredge.

Finally,onedayHawbeganlaughingathimself.

"Haw,haw,lookatus.Wekeepdoingthesamethingsoverandoveragainandwonderwhythingsdon'tgetbetter.Ifthiswasn'tsoridiculous,itwouldbeevenfunnier."

HawdidnotliketheideaofhavingtorunthroughtheMazeagain,becauseheknewhewouldgetlostandhavenoideawherehewouldfindanyCheese.

Buthehadtolaughathisfollywhenhesawwhathisfearwasdoingtohim.

HeaskedHem,"Wheredidweputourrunningshoes?"IttookalongtimetofindthembecausetheyhadputeverythingawaywhentheyfoundtheirCheeseatCheeseStationC,thinkingtheywouldn'tbeneedingthemanymore.

AsHemsawhisfriendgettingintohisrunninggear,hesaid,"You'renotreallygoingoutintotheMazeagain,areyou?Whydon'tyoujustwaitherewithmeuntiltheyputtheCheeseback?"

"Because,youjustdon'tgetit,"Hawsaid."Ididn'twanttoseeiteither,butnowIrealizethey'renevergoingtoputyesterday'sCheeseback.It'stimetofindNewCheese."

Hemargued,"ButwhatifthereisnoCheeseoutthere?Orevenifthereis,whatifyoudon'tfindit?"

"Idon'tknow,"Hawsaid.Hehadaskedhimselfthosesamequestionstoomanytimesandfeltthefearsagainthatkepthimwherehewas.

Heaskedhimself,"WhereamImorelikelytofindCheese—hereorintheMaze?"

Hepaintedapictureinhismind.HesawhimselfventuringoutintotheMazewithasmileonhisface.

Whilethispicturesurprisedhim,itmadehimfeelgood.HesawhimselfgettinglostnowandthenintheMaze,butfeltconfidenthewouldeventuallyfindNewCheeseoutthereandallthegoodthingsthatcamewithit.Hegatheredhiscourage.

Thenheusedhisimaginationtopaintthemostbelievablepicturehecould—

withthemostrealisticdetails—ofhimfindingandenjoyingthetasteofNewCheese.

HesawhimselfeatingSwisscheesewithholesinit,brightorangeCheddarandAmericancheeses,ItalianMozzarellaandwonderfullysoftFrenchCamembertCheese,and....

ThenheheardHemsaysomethingandrealizedtheywerestilatCheeseStationC.

Hawsaid,"Sometimes,Hem,thingschangeandtheyareneverthesameagain.Thislookslikeoneofthosetimes.That'slife!Lifemoveson.Andsoshouldwe."

Hawlookedathisemaciatedcompanionandtriedtotalksensetohim,butHem'sfearhadturnedintoangerandhewouldn'tlisten.

Hawdidn'tmeantoberudetohisfriend,buthehadtolaughathowsilytheybothlooked.

AsHawpreparedtoleave,hestartedtofeelmorealive,knowingthathewasfinallyabletolaughathimself,letgoandmoveon.

Hawlaughedandannounced,"It's...Maze...time!"

Hemdidn'tlaughandhedidn'trespond.

Hawpickedupasmall,sharprockandwroteaseriousthoughtonthewallforHemtothinkabout.

Aswashiscustom.Hawevendrewapictureofcheesearoundit,hopingitwouldhelpHemtosmile,lightenup,andgoaftertheNewCheese.ButHemdidn'twanttoseeit.

Itread:

Then,HawstuckhisheadoutandpeeredanxiouslyintotheMaze.Hethoughtabouthowhe'dgottenhimselfintothischeeselesssituation.

HehadbelievedthattheremaynotbeanyCheeseintheMaze,orhemaynotfindit.Suchfearfulbeliefswereimmobilizingandkilinghim.

Hawsmiled.HeknewHemwaswondering,

"Whomovedmycheese?"butHawwaswondering,"Whydidn'tIgetupandmovewiththeCheese,sooner?"

AshestartedoutintotheMaze,Hawlookedbacktowherehehadcomefromandfeltitscomfort.Hecouldfeelhimselfbeingdrawnbackintofamiliarterritory—eventhoughhehadn'tfoundCheesehereforsometime.

HawbecamemoreanxiousandwonderedifhereallywantedtogooutintotheMaze.Hewroteasayingonthewallaheadofhimandstaredatitforsometime:

Hethoughtaboutit.

Heknewsometimessomefearcanbegood.

Whenyouareafraidthingsaregoingtogetworseifyoudon'tdosomething,itcanpromptyouintoaction.Butitisnotgoodwhenyouaresoafraidthatitkeepsyoufromdoinganything.

Helookedtohisright,tothepartoftheMazewherehehadneverbeen,andfeltthefear.

Then,hetookadeepbreath,turnedrightintotheMaze,andjoggedslowly,intotheunknown.

Ashetriedtofindhisway.Hawworried,atfirst,thathemighthavewaitedtoolonginCheeseStationC.Hehadn'thadanyCheeseforsolongthathewasnowweak.IttookhimlongeranditwasmorepainfulthanusualtogetthroughtheMaze.

Hedecidedthatifheevergotthechanceagain,hewouldgetoutofhiscomfortzoneandadapttochangesooner.Itwouldmakethingseasier.

Then,Hawsmiledaweaksmileashethought,"Betterlatethannever."

Duringthenextseveraldays,HawfoundalittleCheesehereandthere,butnothingthatlastedverylong.HehadhopedtofindenoughCheesetotakesomebacktoHemandencouragehimtocomeoutintotheMaze.

ButHawdidn'tfeelconfidentenoughyet.HehadtoadmithefounditconfusingintheMaze.

Thingsseemedtohavechangedsincethelasttimehewasouthere.

Justwhenhethoughthewasgettingahead,hewouldgetlostinthecorridors.

Itseemedhisprogresswastwostepsforwardandonestepbackward.Itwasachallenge,buthehadtoadmitthatbeingbackintheMaze,huntingforCheese,wasn'tnearlyasbadashefeareditmightbe.

AstimewentonhebegantowonderifitwasrealisticforhimtoexpecttofindNewCheese.Hewonderedifhehadbittenoffmorethanhecouldchew.

Thenhelaughed,realizingthathehadnothingtochewonatthatmoment.

Wheneverhestartedtogetdiscouraged,heremindedhimselfthatwhathewasdoing,asuncomfortableasitwasatthemoment,wasinrealitymuchbetterthanstayingintheCheeselesssituation.Hewastakingcontrol,ratherthansimplylettingthingshappentohim.

Thenheremindedhimself,ifSniffandScurrycouldmoveon,socouldhe!

Later,asHawlookedbackonthings,herealizedthattheCheeseatCheeseStationChadnotjustdisappearedovernight,ashehadoncebelieved.

TheamountofCheesethathadbeentheretowardtheendhadbeengettingsmaller,andwhatwaslefthadgrownold.Itdidn'ttasteasgood.

MoldmayevenhavebeguntogrowontheOldCheese,althoughhehadn'tnoticedit.Hehadtoadmithowever,thatifhehadwantedto,heprobablycouldhaveseenwhatwascoming.Buthedidn't.

Hawnowrealizedthatthechangeprobablywouldnothavetakenhimbysurpriseifhehadbeenwatchingwhatwashappeningallalongandifhehadanticipatedchange.Maybethat'swhatSniff

andScurryhadbeendoing.

Hedecidedhewouldstaymorealertfromnowon.Hewouldexpectchangetohappenandlookforit.Hewouldtrusthisbasicinstinctstosensewhenchangewasgoingtooccurandbereadytoadapttoit.

HestoppedforarestandwroteonthewalloftheMaze:Sometimelater,afternotfindingCheeseforwhatseemedlikealongtime,HawfinallycameacrossahugeCheeseStation,whichlookedpromising.

Whenhewentinside,however,hewasmostdisappointedtodiscoverthattheCheeseStationwasempty.

"Thisemptyfeelinghashappenedtometoooften,"hethought.Hefeltlikegivingup.Hawwaslosinghisphysicalstrength.Heknewhewaslostandwasafraidhewouldnotsurvive.

HethoughtaboutturningaroundandheadingbacktoCheeseStationC.Atleast,ifhemadeitback,andHemwasstilthere,Hawwouldn'tbealone.

Thenheaskedhimselfthesamequestionagain,"WhatwouldIdoifIweren'tafraid?"

Hawthoughthewaspasthisfear,buthewasafraidmoreofrenthanhelikedtoadmit,eventohimself.Hewasn'talwayssurewhathewasafraidof,but,inhisweakenedcondition,heknewnowhewassimplyfearfulofgoingonalone.Hawdidn'tknowit,buthewasrunningbehindbecausehewasstil

weigheddownbyfearfulbeliefs.

HawwonderedifHemhadmovedon,orifhewasstilparalyzedbyhisownfears.Then,HawrememberedthetimeswhenhehadfelthisbestintheMaze.Itwaswhenhewasmovingalong.

Hewroteonthewall,knowingitwasasmucharemindertohimselfasitwasamarkingforhisfriendHem,hopefully,tofollow:Hawlookeddownthedarkpassagewayandwasawareofhisfear.Whatlayahead?Wasitempty?

Orworse,weretheredangerslurking?Hebegantoimagineallkindsoffrighteningthingsthatcouldhappentohim.Hewasscaringhimselftodeath.

Thenhelaughedathimself.Herealizedhisfearsweremakingthingsworse.

Sohedidwhathewoulddoifheweren'tafraid.Hemovedinanewdirection.

Ashestartedrunningdownthedarkcorridorhebegantosmile.Hawdidn'trealizeityet,buthewasdiscoveringwhatnourishedhissoul.Hewaslettinggoandtrustingwhatlayaheadforhim,eventhoughhedidnotknowexactlywhatitwas.

Tohissurprise,Hawstartedtoenjoyhimselfmoreandmore."WhydoIfeelsogood?"hewondered."Idon'thaveanyCheeseandIdon'tknowwhereIamgoing."

Beforelong,heknewwhyhefeltgood.

Hestoppedtowriteagainonthewall:

Hawrealizedhehadbeenheldcaptivebyhisownfear.Movinginanewdirectionhadfreedhim.NowhefeltthecoolbreezethatwasblowinginthispartoftheMazeanditwasrefreshing.Hetookinsomedeepbreathsandfeltinvigoratedbythemovement.Oncehehadgottenpasthisfear,itturnedouttobemoreenjoyablethanheoncebelieveditcouldbe.

Hawhadn'tfeltthiswayforalongtime.Hehadalmostforgottenhowmuchfunitwastogoforit.

Tomakethingsevenbetter.Hawstartedtopaintapictureinhismindagain.

Hesawhimselfingreatrealisticdetail,sittinginthemiddleofapileofallhisfavoritecheeses—fromCheddartoBrie!

Hesawhimselfeatingthemanycheesesheliked,andheenjoyedwhathesaw.Thenheimaginedhowmuchhewouldenjoyalltheirgreattastes.

ThemoreclearlyhesawtheimageofhimselfenjoyingNewCheese,themorerealandbelievableitbecame.Hecouldsensethathewasgoingtofindit.

Hewrote:

Hawkeptthinkingaboutwhathecouldgaininsteadofwhathewaslosing.

Hewonderedwhyhehadalwaysthoughtthatachangewouldleadtosomethingworse.Nowherealizedthatchangecouldleadtosomethingbetter.

"Whydidn'tIseethisbefore?"heaskedhimself.

ThenheracedthroughtheMazewithgreaterstrengthandagility.BeforelonghespottedaCheeseStationandbecameexcitedashenoticedlittlepiecesofNewCheeseneartheentrance.

TheyweretypesofCheesehehadneverseenbefore,buttheylookedgreat.

Hetriedthemandfoundthattheyweredelicious.HeatemostoftheNewCheesebitsthatwereavailableandputafewinhispockettohavelaterandperhapssharewithHem.Hebegantoregainhisstrength.

HeenteredtheCheeseStationwithgreatexcitement.But,tohisdismay,hefounditwasempty.SomeonehadalreadybeenthereandhadleftonlythefewbitsofNewCheese.

Herealizedthatifhehadmovedsooner,hewouldverylikelyhavefoundagooddealofNewCheesehere.

HawdecidedtogobackandseeifHemwasreadytojoinhim.

Asheretracedhissteps,hestoppedandwroteonthewall:AfterawhileHawmadehiswaybacktoCheeseStationCandfoundHem.

HeofferedHembitsofNewCheese,butwasturneddown.

Hemappreciatedhisfriend'sgesturebutsaid,"Idon'tthinkIwouldlikeNewCheese.It'snotwhatI'musedto.IwantmyownCheesebackandI'mnotgoingtochangeuntilIgetwhatIwant."

Hawjustshookhisheadindisappointmentandreluctantlywentbackoutonhisown.AshereturnedtothefarthestpointhehadreachedintheMaze,hemissedhisfriend,butrealizedhelikedwhathewasdiscovering.EvenbeforehefoundwhathehopedwouldbeagreatsupplyofNewCheese,ifever,heknewthatwhatmadehimhappywasn'tjusthavingCheese.

Hewashappywhenhewasn'tbeingrunbyhisfear.Helikedwhathewasdoingnow.Knowingthis.Hawdidn'tfeelasweakashedidwhenhestayedinCheeseStationCwithnoCheese.Justrealizinghewasnotlettinghisfearstophim,andknowingthathehadtakenanewdirection,nourishedhimandgavehimstrength.

Nowhefeltthatitwasjustaquestionoftimebeforehefoundwhatheneeded.Infact,hesensedhehadalreadyfoundwhathewaslookingfor.

Hesmiledasherealized:

Hawrealizedagain,ashehadoncebefore,thatwhatyouareafraidofisneverasbadaswhatyouimagine.Thefearyouletbuildupinyourmindisworsethanthesituationthatactuallyexists.

He'dbeensoafraidofneverfindingNewCheesethathedidn'tevenwanttostartlooking.

Butsincestartinghisjourney,hehadfoundenoughCheeseinthecorridorstokeephimgoing.Nowhelookedforwardtofindingmore.Justlookingaheadwasbecomingexciting.

Hisoldthinkinghadbeencloudedbyhisworriesandfears.HeusedtothinkaboutnothavingenoughCheese,ornothavingitlastaslongashewanted.

Heusedtothinkmoreaboutwhatcouldgowrongthanwhatcouldgoright.

ButthathadchangedinthedayssincehehadleftCheeseStationC.

HeusedtobelievethatCheeseshouldneverbemovedandthatchange

wasn'tright.

Nowherealizeditwasnaturalforchangetocontinuallyoccur,whetheryouexpectitornot.

Changecouldsurpriseyouonlyifyoudidn'texpectitandweren'tlookingforit.

Whenherealizedhehadchangedhisbeliefs,hepausedtowriteonthewall:Hawhadn'tfoundanyCheeseyet,butasheranthroughtheMaze,hethoughtaboutwhathehadalreadylearned.

Hawnowrealizedthathisnewbeliefswereencouragingnewbehaviors.Hewasbehavingdifferentlythanwhenhekeptreturningtothesamecheeselessstation.

Heknewthatwhenyouchangewhatyoubelieve,youchangewhatyoudo.

Youcanbelievethatachangewilharmyouandresistit.OryoucanbelievethatfindingNewCheesewilhelpyouandembracethechange.

Italldependsonwhatyouchoosetobelieve.

Hewroteonthewall:

HawknewhewouldbeinbettershapenowifhehaddealtwiththechangemuchsoonerandleftCheeseStationCearlier.HewouldfeelstrongerinbodyandspiritandhecouldhavecopedbetterwiththechallengeoffindingNewCheese.Infact,heprobablywouldhavefounditbynowifhehadexpectedchange,ratherthanwastingtimedenyingthatthechangehadalreadytakenplace.

HeusedhisimaginationagainandsawhimselffindingandsavoringNewCheese.HedecidedtoproceedintothemoreunknownpartsoftheMaze,andfoundlittlebitsofCheesehereandthere.Hawbegantoregainhisstrengthandconfidence.

Ashethoughtbackonwherehehadcomefrom.Hawwasgladhehadwrittenonthewallinmanyplaces.HetrustedthatitwouldserveasamarkedtrailforHemtofollowthroughtheMaze,ifheeverchosetoleaveCheeseStationC.

Hawjusthopedhewasheadingintherightdirection.HethoughtaboutthepossibilitythatHemwouldreadTheHandwritingOnTheWallandfindhisway.

Hewroteonthewallwhathehadbeenthinkingaboutforsometime:Bynow,Hawhadletgoofthepastandwasadaptingtothepresent.

HecontinuedonthroughtheMazewithgreaterstrengthandspeed.Andbeforelong,ithappened.WhenitseemedlikehehadbeenintheMazeforever,hisjourney—oratleastthispartofhisjourney—endedquicklyandhappily.

Hawproceededalongacorridorthatwasnewtohim,roundedacorner,andfoundNewCheeseatCheeseStationN!

Whenhewentinside,hewasstartledbywhathesaw.PiledhigheverywherewasthegreatestsupplyofCheesehehadeverseen.Hedidn'trecognizeallthathesaw,assomekindsofCheesewerenewtohim.

Thenhewonderedforamomentwhetheritwasrealorjusthisimagination,untilhesawhisoldfriendsSniffandScurry.

SniffwelcomedHawwithanodofhishead,andScurrywavedhispaw.Theirfatlittlebelliesshowedthattheyhadbeenhereforsometime.

HawquicklysaidhishellosandsoontookbitesofeveryoneofhisfavoriteCheeses.Hepulledoffhisshoes,tiedthelacestogether,andhungthemaroundhisneckincaseheneededthemagain.

SniffandScurrylaughed.Theynoddedtheirheadsinadmiration.ThenHawjumpedintotheNewCheese.Whenhehadeatenhisfil,heliftedapieceoffreshCheeseandmadeatoast."HoorayforChange!"

AsHawenjoyedtheNewCheese,hereflectedonwhathehadlearned.

HerealizedthatwhenhehadbeenafraidtochangehehadbeenholdingontotheilusionofOldCheesethatwasnolongerthere.

Sowhatwasitthatmadehimchange?Wasitthefearofstarvingtodeath?

Hawsmiledashethoughtitcertainlyhelped.

Thenhelaughedandrealizedthathehadstartedtochangeassoonashehadlearnedtolaughathimselfandatwhathehadbeendoingwrong.Herealizedthefastestwaytochangeistolaughatyourownfolly—thenyoucanletgoandquicklymoveon.

Heknewhehadlearnedsomethingusefulaboutmovingonfromhismicefriends,SniffandScurry.

Theykeptlifesimple.Theydidn'toveranalyzeorovercomplicatethings.WhenthesituationchangedandtheCheesehadbeenmoved,theychangedandmovedwiththeCheese.Hewouldrememberthat.

HawhadalsousedhiswonderfulbraintodowhatLittlepeopledobetterthanmice.

Heenvisionedhimself—inrealisticdetail—findingsomethingbetter—muchbetter.

Hereflectedonthemistakeshehadmadeinthepastandusedthemtoplanforhisfuture.Heknewthatyoucouldlearntodealwithchange.

Youcouldbemoreawareoftheneedtokeepthingssimple,beflexible,andmovequickly.

Youdidnotneedtoovercomplicatemattersorconfuseyourselfwithfearfulbeliefs.

Youcouldnoticewhenthelittlechangesbegansothatyouwouldbebetterpreparedforthebigchangethatmightbecoming.

Heknewheneededtoadaptfaster,forifyoudonotadaptintime,youmightaswellnotadaptatall.

Hehadtoadmitthatthebiggestinhibitortochangelieswithinyourself,andthatnothinggetsbetteruntilyou.change.

Perhapsmostimportantly,herealizedthatthereisalwaysNewCheeseouttherewhetheryourecognizeitatthetime,ornot.Andthatyouarerewardedwithitwhenyougopastyourfearandenjoytheadventure.

Heknewsomefearshouldberespected,asitcankeepyououtofrealdanger.Butherealizedmostofhisfearswereirrationalandhadkepthimfromchangingwhenheneededto.

Hedidn'tlikeitatthetime,butheknewthatthechangehadturnedouttobeablessingindisguiseasitledhimtofindbetterCheese.

Hehadevenfoundabetterpartofhimself.

AsHawrecalledwhathehadlearned,hethoughtabouthisfriendHem.HewonderedifHemhadreadanyofthesayingsHawhadwrittenonthewallatCheeseStationCandthroughouttheMaze.

HadHemeverdecidedtoletgoandmoveon?

HadheeverenteredtheMazeanddiscoveredwhatcouldmakehislifebetter?

OrwasHemstilhemmedinbecausehewouldnotchange?

HawthoughtaboutgoingbackagaintoCheeseStationCtoseeifhecouldfindHem—assumingthatHawcouldfindhiswaybackthere.IfhefoundHem,hethoughthemightbeabletoshowhimhowtogetoutofhispredicament.

ButHawrealizedthathehadalreadytriedtogethisfriendtochange.

Hemhadtofindhisownway,beyondhiscomfortsandpasthisfears.Nooneelsecoulddoitforhim,ortalkhimintoit.Hesomehowhadtoseetheadvantageofchanginghimself.

HawknewhehadleftatrailforHemandthathecouldfindhisway,ifhecouldjustreadTheHandwritingOnTheWall.

HewentoverandwrotedownasummaryofwhathehadlearnedonthelargestwallofCheeseStationN.Hedrewalargepieceofcheesearoundalltheinsightshehadbecomeawareof,andsmiledashelookedatwhathehadlearned:

HawrealizedhowfarhehadcomesincehehadbeenwithHeminCheeseStationC,butknewitwouldbeeasyforhimtoslipbackifhegottoocomfortable.So,eachdayheinspectedCheeseStationNtoseewhattheconditionofhisCheesewas.Hewasgoingtodowhateverhecouldtoavoidbeingsurprisedbyunexpectedchange.

WhileHawstilhadagreatsupplyofCheese,heoftenwentoutintotheMazeandexplorednewareastostayintouchwithwhatwashappeningaroundhim.Heknewitwassafertobeawareofhisrealchoicesthantoisolatehimselfinhiscomfortzone.

Then,HawheardwhathethoughtwasthesoundofmovementoutintheMaze.Asthenoisegrewlouder,herealizedthatsomeonewascoming.

CoulditbethatHemwasarriving?Washeabouttoturnthecorner?

Hawsaidalittleprayerandhoped—ashehadmanytimesbefore—thatmaybe,atlast,hisfriendwasfinallyableto...

ADiscussion

LaterThatSameDay

WhenMichaelfinishedtellingthestory,helookedaroundtheroomandsawhisformerclassmatessmilingathim.

Severalthankedhimandsaidtheygotagooddealoutofthestory.

Nathanaskedthegroup,"Whatwouldyouthinkofgettingtogetherlaterandmaybediscussingit?"

Mostofthemsaidtheywouldliketotalkaboutit,andsotheyarrangedtomeetlaterforadrinkbeforedinner.

Thatevening,astheygatheredinahotellounge,theybegantokideachotheraboutfindingtheir"Cheese"andseeingthemselvesintheMaze.

ThenAngelaaskedthegroupgood-naturedly,"So,whowereyouinthestory?Sniff,Scurry,HemorHaw?"

Carlosanswered,"Well,Iwasthinkingaboutthatthisafternoon.IclearlyrememberatimebeforeIhadmysportinggoodsbusiness,whenIhadaroughencounterwithchange.

"Iwasn'tSniff—1didn'tsniffoutthesituationandseethechangeearly.AndIcertainlywasn'tScurry—1didn'tgointoactionimmediately.

"IwasmorelikeHem,whowantedtostayinfamiliarterritory.Thetruthis,Ididn'twanttodeal

withthechange.Ididn'tevenwanttoseeit."

Michael,whofeltlikenotimehadpassedsinceheandCarloswereclosefriendsinschool,asked,"Whatarewetalkingabouthere,buddy?"

Carlossaid,"Anunexpectedchangeofjobs."

Michaellaughed."Youwerefired?"

"Wel,let'sjustsayIdidn'twanttogooutlookingforNewCheese.IthoughtIhadagoodreasonwhychangeshouldn'thappentome.So,Iwasprettyupsetatthetime."

Someoftheirformerclassmateswhohadbeenquietinthebeginningfeltmorecomfortablenowandspokeup,includingFrank,whohadgoneintothemilitary.

"Hemremindsmeofafriendofmine,"Franksaid."Hisdepartmentwasclosingdown,buthedidn'twanttoseeit.Theykeptrelocatinghispeople.

Wealltriedtotalktohimaboutthemanyotheropportunitiesthatexistedinthecompanyforthosewhowantedtobeflexible,buthedidn'tthinkhehadtochange.Hewastheonlyonewhowassurprisedwhenhisdepartmentclosed.

Nowhe'shavingahardtimeadjustingtothechangehedidn'tthinkshouldhappen."

Jessicasaid,"Ididn'tthinkitshouldhappentomeeither,butmy'Cheese'hasbeenmovedmorethanonce,especiallyinmypersonallife,butwecangettothatlater."

Manyinthegrouplaughed,exceptNathan.

"Maybethat'sthewholepoint,"Nathansaid.

"Changehappenstoallofus."

Headded,"IwishmyfamilyhadheardtheCheesestorybeforethis.

Unfortunatelywedidn'twanttoseethechangescominginourbusiness,andnowit'stoolate—we'rehavingtoclosemanyofourstores."

Thatsurprisedmanyinthegroup,becausetheythoughtNathanwasluckytobeinasecurebusinesshecoulddependon,yearafteryear.

"Whathappened?"Jessicawantedtoknow.

"Ourchainofsmallstoressuddenlybecameoldfashionedwhenthemega-storecametotownwithitshugeinventoryandlowprices.Wejustcouldn'tcompetewiththat.

"IcanseenowthatinsteadofbeinglikeSniffandScurry,wewerelikeHem.

Westayedwherewewereanddidn'tchange.Wetriedtoignorewhatwashappeningandnowweareintrouble.WecouldhavetakenacoupleoflessonsfromHaw—becausewecertainlycouldn'tlaughatourselvesandchangewhatweweredoing."

Laura,whohadbecomeasuccessfulbusiness-woman,hadbeenlistening,buthadsaidverylittleuntilnow."Ithoughtaboutthestorythisafternoontoo,"

shesaid."IwonderedhowIcouldbemorelikeHawandseewhatI'mdoingwrong,laughatmyself,changeanddobetter."

Shesaid,"I'mcurious.Howmanyhereareafraidofchange?"Noonerespondedsoshesuggested,"Howaboutashowofhands?"

Onlyonehandwentup."Well,itlookslikewe'vegotonehonestpersoninourgroup!"shesaid.Andthencontinued,"Maybeyou'llikethisnextquestionbetter.Howmanyherethinkotherpeopleareafraidofchange?"

Practicallyeveryoneraisedtheirhands.Thentheyallstartedlaughing.

"Whatdoesthattellus?"

"Denial,"Nathananswered.

"Sure,"Michaeladmitted."Sometimeswe'renotevenawarethatwe'reafraid.

IknowIwasn't.WhenIfirstheardthestory,Ilovedthequestion,'Whatwouldyoudoifyouweren'tafraid?'"

ThenJessicaadded,"Wel,whatIgotfromthestoryisthatchangeishappeningeverywhereandthatIwildobetterwhenIcanadjusttoitquickly."

"Irememberyearsagowhenourcompanywassellingourencyclopediaasasetofmorethantwentybooks.Onepersontriedtotellusthatweshouldputourwholeencyclopediaonasinglecomputerdiskandsellitforafractionofthecost.Itwouldbeeasiertoupdate,wouldcostussomuchlesstomanufacture,andsomanymorepeoplecouldaffordit.Butweallresisted."

"Whydidyouresist?"Nathanasked.

"Because,webelievedthenthatthebackboneofourbusinesswasourlargesalesforce,whocalledonpeopledoor-to-door.Keepingoursalesforcedependedonthebigcommissionstheyearnedfromthehighpriceofourproduct.Wehadbeendoingthissuccessfullyforalongtimeandthoughtitwouldgoonforever."

Laurasaid,"Maybethat'swhatitmeantinthestoryaboutHemandHaw'sarroganceofsuccess.

Theydidn'tnoticetheyneededtochangewhathadoncebeenworking."

Nathansaid,"SoyouthoughtyouroldCheesewasyouronlyCheese."

"Yes,andwewantedtohangontoit.

"WhenIthinkbackonwhathappenedtous,Iseethatit'snotjustthatthey

'movedtheCheese'butthatthe'Cheese'hasalifeofitsownandeventuallyrunsout.

"Anyway,wedidn'tchange.Butacompetitordidandoursalesfellbadly.

We'vebeengoingthroughadifficulttime.Now,anotherbigtechnologicalchangeishappeningintheindustryandnooneatthecompanyseemstowanttodealwithit.Itdoesn'tlookgood.IthinkIcouldbeoutofajobsoon."

"It'sMAZEtime!"Carloscalledout.Everyonelaughed,includingJessica.

CarlosturnedtoJessicaandsaid,"It'sgoodthatyoucanlaughatyourself."

Frankoffered,"That'swhat/gotoutofthestory.Itendtotakemyselftooseriously.InoticedhowHawchangedwhenhecouldfinallylaughathimselfandatwhathewasdoing.NowonderhewascalledHaw."

Thegroupgroanedattheobviousplayonwords.

Angelaasked,"DoyouthinkthatHemeverchangedandfoundNewCheese?"

Elainesaid,"Ithinkhedid."

"Idon't,"Corysaid."Somepeopleneverchangeandtheypayapriceforit.IseepeoplelikeHeminmymedicalpractice.Theyfeelentitledtotheir

'Cheese.'Theyfeellikevictimswhenifstakenawayandblameothers.Theygetsickerthanpeoplewholetgoandmoveon."

ThenNathansaidquietly,asthoughhewastalkingtohimself,"Iguessthequestionis,'Whatdoweneedtoletgoofandwhatdoweneedtomoveonto?'"

Noonesaidanythingforawhile.

"Imustadmit,"Nathansaid,"Isawwhatwashappeningwithstoreslikeoursinotherpartsofthecountry,butIhopeditwouldn'taffectus.Iguessit'salotbettertoinitiatechangewhileyoucanthanitistotrytoreactandadjusttoit.MaybeweshouldmoveourownCheese."

"Whatdoyoumean?"Frankasked.

Nathananswered,"Ican'thelpbutwonderwherewewouldbetodayifwehadsoldtherealestate

underallouroldstoresandbuiltonegreatmodernstoretocompetewiththebestofthem."

Laurasaid,"Maybethat'swhatHawmeantwhenhewroteonthewall'SavortheadventureandmovewiththeCheese.'"

Franksaid,"Ithinksomethingsshouldn'tchange.Forexample,Iwanttoholdontomybasicvalues.ButIrealizenowthatIwouldbebetteroffifIhadmovedwiththe'Cheese'alotsoonerinmylife."

"Wel,Michael,itwasanicelittlestory,”Richard,theclassskeptic,said,"buthowdidyouactuallyputitintouseinyourcompany?"

Thegroupdidn'tknowityet,butRichardwasexperiencingsomechangeshimself.Recentlyseparatedfromhiswife,hewasnowtryingtobalancehiscareerwithraisinghisteenagers.

Michaelreplied,"Youknow,IthoughtmyjobwasjusttomanagethedailyproblemsastheycameupwhenwhatIshouldhavebeendoingwaslookingaheadandpayingattentiontowhereweweregoing.

"AndboydidImanagethoseproblems—twenty-fourhoursaday.Iwasn'talotoffuntobearound.Iwasinaratrace,andIcouldn'tgetout."

Laurasaid,"Soyouweremanagingwhenyouneededtobeleading."

"Exactly,"Michaelsaid."ThenwhenIheardthestoryofWhoMovedMyCheese?,Irealizedmyjobwastopaintapictureof'NewCheese'thatwewouldallwanttopursue,sowecouldenjoychangingandsucceeding,whetheritwasatworkorinlife."

Nathanasked,"Whatdidyoudoatwork?"

"Wel,whenIaskedpeopleinourcompanywhotheywereintheStory,Isawwehadeveryoneofthefourcharactersinourorganization.IcametoseethattheSniffs,Scurrys,HemsandHawseachneededtobetreateddifferently.

"OurSniffscouldsniffoutchangesinthemarketplace,sotheyhelpedusupdateourcorporatevision.Theywereencouragedtoidentifyhowthechangescouldresultinnewproductsandservicesourcustomerswouldwant.

TheSniffsloveditandtoldustheyenjoyedworkinginaplacethatrecognizedchangeandadaptedintime.

"OurScurryslikedtogetthingsdone,sotheywereencouragedtotakeactions,basedonthenewcorporatevision.Theyjustneededtobemonitoredsotheydidn'tscurryoffinthewrongdirection.

TheywerethenrewardedforactionsthatbroughtusNewCheese.Theylikedworkinginacompanythatvaluedactionandresults."

"WhatabouttheHemsandHaws?"Angelaasked.

"Unfortunately,theHemsweretheanchorsthatslowedusdown,"Michaelanswered."Theywereeithertoocomfortableortooafraidtochange.

SomeofourHemschangedonlywhentheysawthesensiblevisionwepaintedthatshowedthemhowchangingwouldworktotheiradvantage.

"OurHemstoldustheywantedtoworkinaplacethatwassafe,sothechangeneededtomakesensetothemandincreasetheirsenseofsecurity.

Whentheyrealizedtherealdangerofnotchanging,someofthemchangedanddidwell.ThevisionhelpedusturnmanyofourHemsintoHaws."

"WhatdidyoudowiththeHemswhodidn'tchange?"Frankwantedtoknow.

"Wehadtoletthemgo,"Michaelsaidsadly.

"Wewantedtokeepallouremployees,butweknewifourbusinessdidn'tchangequicklyenough,wewouldallbeintrouble."

Thenhesaid,"ThegoodnewsisthatwhileourHawswereinitiallyhesitant,theywereopenmindedenoughtolearnsomethingnew,actdifferentlyandadaptintimetohelpussucceed.

"Theycametoexpectchangeandactivelylookforit.Becausetheyunderstoodhumannature,theyhelpeduspaintarealisticvisionofNewCheesethatmadegoodsensetopracticallyeveryone.

"Theytoldustheywantedtoworkinanorganizationthatgavepeopletheconfidenceandtoolstochange.AndtheyhelpeduskeepoursenseofhumoraswewentafterourNewCheese."

Richardcommented,"Yougotallthatfromalittlestory?"

Michaelsmiled."Itwasn'tthestory,butwhatwediddifferentlybasedonwhatwetookfromit."

Angelaadmitted,"I'malittlebitlikeHem,soforme,themostpowerfulpartofthestorywaswhenHawlaughedathisfearandwentontopaintapictureinhismindwherehesawhimselfenjoying'NewCheese.'ItmadegoingintotheMazelessfearfulandmoreenjoyable.Andheeventuallygotabetterdeal.

That'swhatIwanttodomoreoften."

Frankgrinned."SoevenHemscansometimesseetheadvantageofchanging."

Carloslaughed,"Liketheadvantageofkeepingtheirjobs."

Angelaadded,"Orevengettingagoodraise."

Richard,whohadbeenfrowningduringthediscussion,said,"Mymanager'sbeentellingmeourcompanyneedstochange.Ithinkwhatshe'sreallytellingmeisthat/needto,butIhaven'twantedtohearit.IguessIneverreallyknewwhatthe'NewCheese'wasthatshewastryingtomoveusto.OrhowIcouldgainfromit."

AslightsmilecrossedRichard'sfaceashesaid,"ImustadmitIlikethisideaofseeing'NewCheese'andimaginingyourselfenjoyingit.Itlightenseverythingup.Whenyouseehowitcanmakethingsbetter,yougetmoreinterestedinmakingthechangehappen.

"MaybeIcouldusethisinmypersonallife,"headded."Mychildrenseemtothinkthatnothingintheirlivesshouldeverchange.Iguessthey'reactinglikeHem—they'reangry.They'reprobablyafraidofwhatthefutureholds.MaybeIhaven'tpaintedarealisticpictureof'NewCheese'forthem.ProbablybecauseIdon'tseeitmyself."

Thegroupwasquietasseveralpeoplethoughtabouttheirownlives.

"Wel,"Jessicasaid,"mostpeopleherehavebeentalkingaboutjobs,butasIlistenedtothestory,Ialsothoughtaboutmypersonallife.Ithinkmycurrentrelationshipis'OldCheese'thathassomeprettyseriousmoldonit."

Corylaughedinagreement."Metoo.Iprobablyneedtoletgoofabadrelationship."

Angelacountered,"Or,perhapsthe'OldCheese'isjustoldbehavior.Whatwereallyneedtoletgoofisthebehaviorthatisthecauseofourbadrelationships.Andthenmoveontoabetterwayofthinkingandacting."

"Ouch!"Coryreacted."Goodpoint.TheNewCheeseisanewrelationshipwiththesameperson."

Richardsaid,"I'mbeginningtothinkthereismoretothisthanIthought.Iliketheideaoflettinggoofoldbehaviorinsteadoflettinggooftherelationship.

Repeatingthesamebehaviorwilljustgetyouthesameresults.

"Asfarasworkgoes,maybeinsteadofchangingjobs,IshouldbechangingthewayIamdoingmyjob.I'dprobablyhaveabetterpositionbynowifIdid."

ThenBecky,wholivedinanothercitybuthadreturnedforthereunion,said,

"AsIwaslisteningtothestoryandtoeveryone'scommentshere,I'vehadtolaughatmyself.I'vebeenlikeHemforsolong,hemmingandhawingandafraidofchange.Ididn'trealizehowmanyotherpeopledidthisaswell.I'mafraidI'vepasseditontomychildrenwithoutevenknowingit.

"AsIthinkaboutit,Irealizechangereallycanleadyoutoanewandbetterplace,althoughyou'reafraiditwon'tatthetime.

"Irememberatimewhenoursonwasasophomoreinhighschool.Myhusband'sjobrequiredustomovefromIlinoistoVermontandoursonwasupsetbecausehehadtoleavehisfriends.Hewasa

starswimmerandthehighschoolinVermonthadnoswimteam.So,hewasangrywithusformakinghimmove.

"Asitturnedout,hefellinlovewiththeVermontmountains,tookupsking,skiedonhiscollegeteamandnowliveshappilyinColorado.

"IfwehadallenjoyedthisCheesestorytogether,overacupofhotchocolate,wecouldhavesavedourfamilyalotofstress."

Jessicasaid,"I'mgoinghometotellmyfamilythisstory.I'laskmychildrenwhotheythinkIam—Sniff,Scurry,HemorHaw—andwhotheyfeeltheyare.

Wecouldtalkaboutwhatwefeelourfamily'sOldCheeseisandwhatourNewCheesecouldbe"

"That'sagoodidea,"Richardsaid,surprisingeveryone—evenhimself.

Frankthencommented,"IthinkI'mgoingtobemorelikeHawandmovewiththeCheeseandenjoyit!AndI'mgoingtopassthisstoryalongtomyfriendswhoareworriedaboutleavingthemilitaryandwhatthechangemightmeantothem.Itcouldleadtosomeinterestingdiscussions."

Michaelsaid,"Wel,that'showweimprovedourbusiness.WehadseveraldiscussionsaboutwhatwegotfromtheCheesestoryandhowwecouldapplyittooursituation.Itwasgreatbecausewehadlanguagethatwasfunforustousetotalkabouthowweweredealingwithchange.Itwasveryeffective,especiallyasitspreaddeeperintothecompany."

Nathanasked,"Whatdoyoumeanby'deeper'?"

"Wel,thefurtherwewentintoourorganization,themorepeoplewefoundwhofelttheyhadlesspower.Theywereunderstandablymoreafraidofwhatthechangeimposedfromabovemightdotothem.Sotheyresistedchange.

"Inshort,achangeimposedisachangeopposed.

"ButwhentheCheeseStorywassharedwithliterallyeveryoneinourorganization,ithelpeduschangethewaywelookedatchange.Ithelpedeveryonelaugh,oratleastsmile,attheiroldfearsandwanttomoveon.

"IonlywishedI'dheardtheCheesestorysooner,"Michaeladded.

"Howcome?"Carlosasked.

"Becausebythetimewegotaroundtoaddressingthechanges,ourbusinesshadalreadyfallenoffsobadlythatwehadtoletpeoplego,asIsaidearlier,includingsomegoodfriends.Itwashardonalofus.However,thosewhostayedandmostofthosewholeftsaidtheCheesestoryhelpedthemseethingsdifferentlyandeventuallycopebetter.

"Thosewhohadtogooutandlookforanewjobsaiditwashardatfirstbutrecallingthestorywasagreathelptothem."

Angelaasked,"Whathelpedthemmost?"

Michaelreplied,"Aftertheygotpasttheirfear,theytoldmethebestthingwasrealizingthattherewasNewCheeseouttherejustwaitingtobefound!

"TheysaidholdingapictureofNewCheeseintheirminds—seeingthemselvesdoingwellinanewjob—madethemfeelbetter,andhelpedthemdobetterinjobinterviews.Severalgotbetterjobs."

Lauraasked,"Whataboutthepeoplewhoremainedinyourcompany?"

"Wel"Michaelsaid,"insteadofcomplainingaboutthechangesthatwerehappening,peoplenowsaid,'TheyjustmovedourCheese.Let'slookfortheNewCheese.'Itsavedalotoftimeandreducedstress.

"Beforelong,thepeoplewhohadbeenresistingsawtheadvantageofchanging.Theyevenhelpedbringaboutchange."

Corysaid,"Whydoyouthinktheychanged?"

"Theychangedafterthepeerpressureinourcompanychanged."

Heasked,"Whathappensinmostorganizationsyou'vebeeninwhenachangeisannouncedbytopmanagement?Domostpeoplesaythechangeisagreatideaorabadidea?"

"Abadidea,"Frankanswered.

"Yes"Michaelagreed."Why?"

Carlossaid,"Becausepeoplewantthingstostaythesameandtheythinkthechangewilbebadforthem.Whenonepersonsaysthechangeisabadidea,otherssaythesame."

"Yes,theymaynotrealyfeelthatway,"Michaelsaid,"buttheyagreeinordertofitin.That'sthesortofpeerpressurethatfightschangeinanyorganization."

Beckyasked,"SohowwerethingsdifferentafterpeopleheardtheCheesestory?"

Michaelsaidsimply,"Thepeerpressurechanged.NoonewantedtolooklikeHem!"

Everyonelaughed.

"Theywantedtosniffoutthechangesaheadoftimeandscurryintoaction,ratherthangethemmedinandbeleftbehind."

Nathansaid,"That'sagoodpoint.NooneinourcompanywouldwanttolooklikeHem.Theymightevenchange.Whydidn'tyoutellusthisstoryatourlastreunion?Thiscouldwork."

Michaelsaid,"Itdoeswork."

"Itworksbest,ofcourse,wheneveryoneinyourorganizationknowsthestory—whetheritisinalargecorporation,asmallbusiness,oryourfamily

—becauseanorganizationcanonlychangewhenenoughpeopleinitchange."

Thenheofferedonelastthought."Whenwesawhowwellitworkedforus,wepassedthestoryalongtopeoplewewantedtodobusinesswith,knowingtheywerealsodealingwithchange.Wesuggestedwemightbetheir'NewCheese'thatis,betterpartnersforthemtosucceedwith.Itledtonewbusiness."

ThatgaveJessicaseveralideasandremindedherthatshehadsomeearlysalescallsinthemorning.Shelookedatherwatchandsaid,"Wel,it'stimeformetoleavethisCheeseStationandfindsomeNewCheese."

Thegrouplaughedandbegansayingtheirgoodbyes.Manyofthemwantedtocontinuetheconversationbutneededtoleave.Astheyleft,theythankedMichaelagain.

Hesaid,"I'mverygladyoufoundthestorysousefulandIhopethatyouwilhavetheopportunitytoshareitwithotherssoon."

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