Tasting New Cheese - BooksPDF4Free...cheese. The mice. Sniff and Scurry, possessing simple brains...
Transcript of Tasting New Cheese - BooksPDF4Free...cheese. The mice. Sniff and Scurry, possessing simple brains...
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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