cheese being a metaphor for what we want to have in life, whether it is a job, a relationship, money, a big house, freedom, health, recognition, spiritual peace or even an activity like jogging or golf. (Location 147)
Note: Cheese is a metaphor for what you want in life
The “Maze” in the story represents where you spend time looking for what you want. It can be the organization you work in, the community you live in, or the relationships you have in your life. (Location 150)
Note: The Maze represents where you look for what you want
While in the past we may have wanted loyal employees, today we need flexible people who are not possessive about “the way things are done around here.” (Location 168)
Note: Flexible employees who are open to changing the way things are done
Everyone knows that not all change is good or even necessary. But in a world that is constantly changing, it is to our advantage to learn how to adapt and enjoy something better. (Location 185)
Tags: change
Note: .change it is to our advantage to adopt to change
“Why should we change?” Hem asked. “We’re Littlepeople. We’re special. This sort of thing should not happen to us. Or if it does, we should at least get some benefits.” “Why should we get benefits?” Haw asked. “Because we’re entitled,” Hem claimed. “Entitled to what?” Haw wanted to know. “We’re entitled to our Cheese.” “Why?” Haw asked. “Because, we didn’t cause this problem,” Hem said. “Somebody else did this and we should get something out of it.” (Location 310)
Tags: entitled
Note: .entitled
“Let’s go!” he exclaimed, all of a sudden. “No,” Hem quickly responded. “I like it here. It’s comfortable. It’s what I know. Besides it’s dangerous out there.” “No it isn’t,” Haw argued. “We’ve run through many parts of the Maze before, and we can do it again.” “I’m getting too old for that,” Hem said. “And I’m afraid I’m not interested in getting lost and making a fool of myself. Are you?” With that, Haw’s fear of failing returned and his hope of finding New Cheese faded. (Location 330)
Haw was beginning to realize the difference between activity and productivity. (Location 345)
By now the Littlepeople were growing weak from hunger and stress. Haw was getting tired of just waiting for their situation to improve. He began to see that the longer they stayed in their Cheeseless situation, the worse off they would be. (Location 348)
“Sometimes, Hem, things change and they are never the same again. This looks like one of those times. That’s life! Life moves on. And so should we.” (Location 370)
Haw smiled. He knew Hem was wondering, “Who moved my cheese?” but Haw was wondering, “Why didn’t I get up and move with the Cheese, sooner?” (Location 382)
sometimes some fear can be good. When you are afraid things are going to get worse if you don’t do something, it can prompt you into action. But it is not good when you are so afraid that it keeps you from doing anything. (Location 388)
Tags: fear
Note: .fear fear is good when it Prompts you into action
He decided that if he ever got the chance again, he would get out of his comfort zone and adapt to change sooner. It would make things easier. (Location 393)
Tags: change
Note: .change
He was taking control, rather than simply letting things happen to him. (Location 403)
Haw realized he had been held captive by his own fear. Moving in a new direction had freed him. (Location 434)
The fear you let build up in your mind is worse than the situation that actually exists. (Location 465)
Tags: fear
Note: .fear fear is worse in your mind than in reality
Now he realized it was natural for change to continually occur, whether you expect it or not. Change could surprise you only if you didn’t expect it and weren’t looking for it. (Location 472)
Tags: change
Note: .change it is natural for change to occur
He knew that when you change what you believe, you change what you do. (Location 477)
He realized that when he had been afraid to change he had been holding on to the illusion of Old Cheese that was no longer there. (Location 502)
You could be more aware of the need to keep things simple, be flexible, and move quickly. (Location 512)
Tags: minimalism
Note: Keep things simple,be flexible and move quickly
You could notice when the little changes began so that you would be better prepared for the big change that might be coming. (Location 513)
Tags: change
Note: Notice little changes earlier
Perhaps most importantly, he realized that there is always New Cheese out there whether you recognize it at the time, or not. And that you are rewarded with it when you go past your fear and enjoy the adventure. (Location 517)
Hem had to find his own way, beyond his comforts and past his fears. No one else could do it for him, or talk him into it. He somehow had to see the advantage of changing himself. (Location 527)
While Haw still had a great supply of Cheese, he often went out into the Maze and explored new areas to stay in touch with what was happening around him. He knew it was safer to be aware of his real choices than to isolate himself in his comfort zone. (Location 537)
“Some people never change and they pay a price for it. I see people like Hem in my medical practice. They feel entitled to their ‘Cheese.’ They feel like victims when it’s taken away and blame others. They get sicker than people who let go and move on.” (Location 604)
‘Savor the adventure and move with the Cheese.’” (Location 613)
Note: Savour the adventure
“So you were managing when you needed to be leading.” “Exactly,” Michael said. “Then when I heard the story of Who Moved My Cheese?, I realized my job was to paint a picture of ‘New Cheese’ that we would all want to pursue, so we could enjoy changing and succeeding, whether it was at work or in life.” (Location 622)
change imposed is a change opposed. (Location 689)
Tags: change
Note: .change
“Yes, they may not really feel that way,” Michael said, “but they agree in order to fit in. That’s the sort of peer pressure that fights change in any organization.” Becky asked, “So how were things different after people heard the Cheese story?” Michael said simply, “The peer pressure changed. No one wanted to look like Hem!” Everyone laughed. (Location 710)