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The “Who Moved My Cheese?”
Phenomena!
The Story of
Who Moved My Cheese?
was created by Dr. Spencer Johnson to help him deal with a difficult change in his life. It showed him how to take his changing situation seriously but not take himself so seriously.
When his friends noticed how much better life had become for him, and asked why, he revealed his “Cheese” story. Several said, sometimes years later, how hearing the story helped them to keep their sense of humor, to change, and to gain something better themselves. His co-author of
The One Minute Manager
, Ken Blanchard, encouraged him to finally write it as a book to share with many others.
Two decades after the story was created, this book was published. It soon became a #1 Bestseller, with one million hardcover copies in print within the first 16 months and over 21 million copies in the next five years. In 2005, Amazon.com reported that
Who Moved My Cheese?
was their #1 All-Time Bestselling single book title.
People have reported that what they discovered in the story has improved their careers, businesses, health and marriages. The Cheese story has found its way into homes, companies, schools, churches, the military, and sports teams. It has spread around the world in many foreign languages. Its appeal is universal.
Critics, on the other hand, do not understand how so many people could find it so valuable. They say the story is so simple a child could understand it, and it insults their intelligence, as it is just obvious common sense. They get nothing out of the story. Some even fear it suggests all change is good and that people should mindlessly conform to unnecessary changes imposed by others, although that is not in the story.
The author has commented that both the fans and critics are “right” in their own way. It is not what is in the story of
Who Moved My Cheese?
but how you interpret it and apply it to your own situation that gives it value.
Hopefully the way you interpret the story of
Who Moved My Cheese?
and put it into action in your life will help you find and enjoy the “New Cheese” you deserve.
Who Moved My Cheese?
“Every once in a while a book comes along that opens a door to the future. This book has had that effect on me.”
—David A. Heenan, Board Member
PETER F. DRUCKER MANAGEMENT CENTER
“As soon as I finished reading this, I ordered copies to help us deal with the relentless changes we face—from being on changing teams to developing new markets.”
—Joan Banks, Performance Effectiveness Specialist
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
“I can picture myself reading this wonderful story to my children and grandchildren in our family room with a warm fire glowing, and their understanding the lessons.”
- Lt. Col. Wayne Washer,
AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE CENTER, PATTERSON AFB
“Dr. Johnson’s enticing images and language give us a fundamentally sound and memorable way of managing change.”
—Albert J. Simone, President
ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
“Spencer Johnson’s unique insights and storytelling make this a rare book that can be read and understood quickly by everyone who wants to do well in these changing times.”
—Randy Harris, Former Vice-Chairman
MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL
“This book is a simple, understandable road map for us to use as we deal with our own individual circumstances around change.”
- Michael Morley, Senior Vice President
EASTMAN KODAK
“This wonderful book is an asset to any person or group that applies its lessons.”
—John A. Lopiano, Senior V.P.
XEROX CORPORATION
