Nobody likes their cheese being moved. That’s just human nature. When we get comfortable—whether in our jobs, our routines, or the systems that govern us—we resist change. But change comes anyway, and we can either adapt or be left behind.
Right now, we’re witnessing some of the biggest cheese-moving moments in politics and economics that we’ve seen in decades. Whether it’s about efficiency in government, shifts in industry, or global economic changes, the old way of doing things is being shaken up.
Maybe it’s necessary. No—it is necessary—because this cheese has been sitting in the same place for far too long, and it’s starting to get stale. Governments get bloated, bureaucracies grow inefficient, industries stagnate, and before long, we find ourselves clinging to outdated systems simply because they’re familiar.
But moving the cheese isn’t easy. It’s painful. It upsets people. It disrupts the predictable, the comfortable, and the expected. Some will fight it, insist on staying in their old ways, and refuse to move. Others will adapt, explore new paths, and find fresh opportunities.
The question isn’t who moved my cheese?—it’s how do I respond now that it’s moved?
Because whether we like it or not, the cheese is moving.
A Government Runneth Over
Now, I don’t anyone alive who much enjoys having their cheese moved. Folks get mighty comfortable when they’ve got a nice little pile of it sitting just where they left it. You take a bureaucrat, for instance—give him a cozy office, a pension that’d make a banker blush, and a mountain of paperwork to hide behind, and he’ll defend that hill like it’s the last biscuit at Sunday supper.
But then along comes a fellow like Trump, a man who does not much care where the cheese used to be. He’s got a nose for change, like an old hound dog catching the scent of something new, and suddenly, the government’s not so much a slow-moving river as it is a stampede. The folks inside the system holler and fuss, asking “Who moved my cheese?” as if the whole world betrayed them.
And that’s where our story begins—between the ones who sniff the winds of change and move along, and the ones who sit in the dust, shaking their fists at the sky, waiting for the old cheese to come back.
The Bureaucrat’s Lament and the Reformer’s Delight
Now, if there’s one truth in life, it’s that the world does not wait on a man who won’t budge. You sit too long in one place, and you’ll find yourself nothing more than an old relic, gathering dust while the rest of the world moves on to new cheese, new rules, and new ways of doing things.
Trump and his Doge crowd, well, they’re the Sniffs and Scurrys of the maze, running ahead, finding new efficiencies, kicking down old walls. The bureaucrats, meanwhile, are still back at Cheese Station C, holding a town meeting to draft a 400-page report on how unfair all this moving business is.
But the lesson, dear reader, is this—the cheese is always moving. It does not care about your protests, your committees, or how much you miss the way things used to be. You can sit and sulk like Hem, or you can wise up like Haw, strap on your boots, and go find yourself a better, newer, fresher pile of cheese.
Because in the end, it ain’t the man who complains the loudest that wins—it’s the one who learns to move.
Who Moved My Cheese? (THE BOOK)
- Author: Spencer Johnson, M.D.
- Published: September 7, 1998
- Genre: Business fable, self-help
- Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Sales & Popularity
- Over 28 million copies sold worldwide
- Translated into more than 40 languages
- Stayed on The New York Times Bestseller List for almost five years
- One of the best-selling business books of all time
- Popular among corporate executives, educators, and self-improvement enthusiasts
Cultural Impact
- Widely used in business management training, change management, and self-improvement programs
- Referenced in motivational speeches, corporate workshops, and leadership seminars
- Became a common metaphor for adapting to change in business and life
The book’s simple yet powerful message has made it a go-to guide for handling uncertainty and embracing change.
I did not enjoy this book, but its message is very important, like in moments like today.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has undertaken several initiatives to identify and address waste and fraud within the federal government. Key actions include:
1. Treasury Department Oversight:
- Access to Payment Systems: DOGE personnel gained access to the Treasury’s payment systems, which handle over $5 trillion annually, including Social Security and government paychecks. This move aimed to scrutinize and identify improper or fraudulent payments.
2. USAID Shutdown:
- Agency Closure: DOGE moved to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), alleging inefficiencies and misuse of funds. This involved taking the agency’s website offline, terminating staff, and halting overseas operations.
3. FEMA Fund Reallocation:
- Revocation of Funds: Following Musk’s allegations of misused funds, DOGE influenced the revocation of $80.5 million in FEMA-allocated funds intended for New York City. The funds were initially designated for shelter and services but were reclaimed due to concerns over their allocation.
4. IRS Examination:
- Operational Review: A top aide to Musk visited the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to scrutinize its operations, aligning with DOGE’s mission to reduce costs, waste, and fraud across federal agencies.
5. Contract Cancellations and Program Terminations:
- Broad Reductions: DOGE has initiated mass layoffs across various agencies, canceled numerous federal contracts, and terminated many Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, citing them as sources of wasteful spending.
While these actions have been lauded by some as necessary steps toward reducing government inefficiency, they have also sparked significant controversy and legal challenges. Critics argue that DOGE’s methods may undermine essential programs and potentially overstep legal boundaries.
EXTRA CREDIT
Watch this video
Who Moved My Cheese? – Summary & Chapter Breakdown
By Spencer Johnson
Overview:
“Who Moved My Cheese?” is a short motivational business fable that explores how people react to change. The book follows four characters—two mice, Sniff and Scurry, and two “little people,” Hem and Haw—as they navigate a maze searching for cheese, which symbolizes success, happiness, or anything we seek in life.
The story illustrates different approaches to change and adaptation, emphasizing the importance of being proactive, embracing uncertainty, and moving forward when circumstances shift.
Chapter Breakdown:
1. A Gathering (Introduction)
- A group of old classmates reunites and discusses how their lives and careers have changed.
- One person shares the story of Who Moved My Cheese? to illustrate how people handle change differently.
The Cheese Story Begins:
2. The Maze and the Characters
- The setting is a maze, representing life, where four characters search for cheese, which symbolizes what people want in life (success, money, happiness, love, job security, etc.).
- Sniff and Scurry, the mice, use trial and error to find cheese.
- Hem and Haw, the little people, use logic and emotions but are resistant to change.
3. The Cheese at Cheese Station C
- All four characters discover a huge stockpile of cheese at Cheese Station C.
- The mice continue to check for changes daily.
- The little people, Hem and Haw, assume the cheese supply is permanent.
4. The Cheese is Gone!
- One day, the cheese disappears.
- Sniff and Scurry quickly move on to find new cheese.
- Hem and Haw are shocked and feel betrayed, believing they deserve the cheese.
- Hem refuses to leave, fearing the unknown.
5. Fear of Change
- Hem and Haw wait, believing the cheese will return.
- Haw starts to question his fear and considers searching for new cheese.
- He realizes that resisting change is making him miserable.
6. Moving Beyond Fear
- Haw imagines himself with new cheese and gains the courage to venture out.
- He learns important lessons and leaves messages on the maze walls:
- “If you do not change, you can become extinct.”
- “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”
- “Smell the cheese often so you know when it is getting old.”
7. Discovering New Cheese
- Haw finds small bits of cheese along the way, reinforcing his belief in change.
- He realizes that adapting to change leads to new opportunities.
- Eventually, he finds Cheese Station N, a massive new cheese source.
- Sniff and Scurry are already there because they adapted quickly.
8. Reflection and A Lesson for the Future
- Haw reflects on what he learned:
- Change happens.
- Anticipate change.
- Adapt quickly.
- Enjoy change.
- Be ready for more change.
- He wonders if Hem will ever leave his comfort zone.
Epilogue: The Discussion
- Back in the real world, the classmates discuss the story’s lessons.
- They recognize how the story applies to their own work and personal lives.
- They commit to embracing change rather than fearing it.
Key Takeaways:
- Change is inevitable – Be ready for it.
- Fear holds you back – Imagine success and move forward.
- Adapt quickly – The sooner you embrace change, the sooner you benefit.
- Monitor your “cheese” – Stay aware of changes in your environment.
- Enjoy the adventure – Change brings new opportunities.
This book is a simple but powerful metaphor for how we deal with life’s inevitable changes.
0
