Underline This Podcast

Change is inevitable. At times we can ease into like we’re slowly dipping into a cold swimming pool, or at other times it comes at us without warning like being sucker punched in a New York subway. There’s been a lot of turbulence, unpredictability, and change recently with the economy (tariffs) and the AI wave. In my day to day interactions with coworkers and friends, there’s a general feeling of anxiety about the future. Instead of hyperventilating and losing sleep over it, I’m reminded by my humble days as a history major. Theworld is nothing but change. And change is nothing new. Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent and Robert Greene the author of 48 Laws of Power, wrote a book about adapting to change which I highly recommend called the 50th Law. It’s filled with one liner gems on every page, and here’s one that rings true.  

“You can’t control the world, but you can control how you respond to it.” 🛡️ 

There’s a book that teaches you how to navigate change. And it applies to all facets of life. It is timeless, and it resonates with me more now than ever. The book is Who Moved My Cheese? By Spencer Johnson. It’s a motivational business fable that teaches readers how to adapt to change in work and life. It’s a parable about four characters who live in a maze and search for “cheese.” When the cheese disappears, each character reacts differently. Thus, revealing how different people respond to change. It’s considered a classic, and has even become a corporate training for companies like IBM, PepsiCo, and General Motors.

A side note, what makes this a powerful read is that it follows the pattern of teaching that history’s greatest teachers have followed. Teaching through storytelling, allegory, or parables. That’s how Christ, the Budhha, and other great teachers taught. 

Before we break down the story, let’s talk about Spencer Johnson. Dr. Spencer Johnson lived from 1938–2017. He graduated in psychology from the University of Southern California and earned a medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Impressive. He worked as a physician, author, psychologist, and management consultant. He co-authored another famous book called The One Minute Manager with Ken Blanchard. The story Who Moved My Cheese? was inspired by Johnson’s observations as a physician, seeing how patients who accepted change (such as lifestyle adjustments) healed faster.

He had a unique writing style and was known for using simple parables in order to explain complex human behavior. In the previous books mentioned, Johnson used his short stories to teach about leadership and change management. He believed stories were a faster vehicle of understanding rather than giving lectures. You might say the proof is in the pudding, because Who Moved My Cheese? became one of the best-selling business books and sold over 30 million copies. The book was initially rejected by publishers, who thought it was too simplistic — until Ken Blanchard (Johnson’s co-author on The One Minute Manager) endorsed it. Now for the story. 

The Story

Who Moved My Cheese? Has 4 main characters. These are Sniff and Scurry – two mice who quickly adapt when the cheese is gone; they immediately start searching for new cheese. Hem and Haw – two little people (miniature humans) who overthink and resist change. Hem refuses to leave; Haw struggles but eventually learns to move on. As the story progresses, Haw learns that adapting to change leads to new opportunities, while Hem remains stuck, clinging to the past.

The story is amazingly profound and relatable. Especially when it comes down to how the characters respond to their cheese being taken away or becoming spoiled. In case I’m not being clear, our 4 characters are in hot pursuit of cheese. Some realize that without it, they will die and they use that fact to motivate them to change their circumstances. Along the way, they leave each other messages on the maze wall which we’ll unpack here in a moment. If we pause and relate the story to us, we can see that we’re all in a maze called life, and our cheese is constantly moving. That cheese could be a relationship that’s going bad, being laid off from a job, or living complacently. It’s up to us to realize that our cheese will be taken away, and the only control we have is how we respond. Let’s dive into the main ideas and scratchings on the maze walls. 

Main Ideas

First, “Change Happens — Accept It Early”
Change is in our atoms. Look no further for evidence than remembering that dinosaurs existed millions of years ago and somehow we replaced them. Change is inevitable, and our “cheese” will move. Life, relationships, and careers constantly change. Those who cling to the past will stay in the past. Have you ever met someone who peaked in high school? Enough said.

Second, “Adapt Quickly”
The faster you let go of old cheese, the sooner you can find new cheese. I mentioned the book The 50th Law by 50 Cent and Robert Greene. This book is all about principles for evolving and adapting, referencing life experiences from 50 Cent. What makes 50 so impressive is that he started as a rapper, and evolved to be an entrepreneur, author, screen writer, actor, and musician. We need to evolve quickly or we’ll end up like the dinosaurs. Extinct.

Third, “Monitor Change”
We should be self aware and equally aware of our surrounds. Learn to smell the cheese often so you know when it’s beginning to spoil. Stay alert. There are often signs that change is coming. In a relationship you can feel when things aren’t getting better. If you’re unfulfilled in life, you feel like a zombie. If it’s a career change, learn to recognize the red flags. Don’t be trapped by change, sniff it out.

Fourth, “Move with the Cheese”
Move with change. Imagine you’re swimming and a big wave is beginning to form. You have 3 options. 1) Dive underneath and swim through it. 2) Let it pulverize you. Or 3) Time it right, and ride it. Going back to the previous point about monitoring change, it’s up to you to determine what the best option is.

Fifth, “Enjoy Change”
Uncertainty is exhilarating, and it’s an opportunity to learn and explore what other opportunities are available. Find joy in discovery and remember discovery leads to growth.

At the conclusion of the story, there’s a “Facts of the Matter” that says:

1. I have to find more cheese. If I don’t, I’ll die.
2. The maze is a dangerous place, full of dark corners and blind alleys.
3. It’s up to me. I’m on my own.

I keep this written above my desk as a reminder that metaphorically speaking I’m a rat stuck in a maze in search of cheese and I’m learning to embrace. Let’s talk symbolism. 

Symbolism: Main Ideas

Cheese: I’ve interpreted this as opportunities, but this is really what you want in life. 

Maze: The dark and dreary world. Your career. Love life. Whatever. 

Sniff and Scurry: Adaptability. They’re instinctive and reactive to change. 

Hem and Haw: Human. They feel fear, overthink, and deny the change they see. 

Moving the Cheese: Unexpected changes beyond our control. 

Writing on the Wall: Lessons from Haw as he gained wisdom from his experience traveling through the maze. The “Handwriting on the Wall” section is often printed as posters in workplaces to remind employees of adaptability.

Now for underlined quotes. 

Memorable Quotes

“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”

“The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese.”

“Smell the cheese often so you know when it is getting old.”

“When you move beyond your fear, you feel free.”

“Movement in a new direction helps you find new cheese.”

Conclusion

Change acts like waves on the ocean. Those waves can knock us down, or we can ride them. Those who adapt quickly survive. Stop fearing change and embrace it as an opportunity. I’ll leave a warning from Robert Greene in The 50th Law.

“The need for certainty is the greatest disease the mind faces.”

Cheese is the cure. 🧀