Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Spencer Johnson is a highly recommended book especially for those who are in their low ebb & seems to be indecisive. However, this is not a review of the book in actuality. Rather, it is an incident which happened in which the book plays an important role. I hope everyone will be able to benefit something or the other from it.
In the week of February 2004, I met a friend for the first time while on a short vacation. He told me about his problems at work as well as personal life. On my return from the trip, I wrote him this mail (reproduced as in the original except for a few irrelevant paras & all the 2, 4, d replaced by to, for, the etc). As a result, he showed this mail to his boss & friend who immediately called for a conference where this mail was shown on the projector (I’m blushing) & the book ’Who Moved my Cheese?’ was read on the projector as well by the entire team. I would like U also to read it.
My Dear Arun,
Welcome back 2 pavilion. Tee Hee! I hope, no, I’m sure U are very much fresh & ready 2 face the problems of everyday life now. Just remember what I told U- U are going thru a bad phase of Ur life & this might be just the start of tough times to come. But U have to stand strong, firm & prove Ur true mettle. Dont let anything bog U down, no matter how frustrating it might be. I know it’s easier said than done. But then remember, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’ cos ‘Smooth seas dont make skillful sailors’. Whenever U see darkness, there is extraordinary opportunity for the light to burn brighter cos they say ‘When night is here, can dawn be far?’. U may not realize it but the darkest moment is just before dawn. So just hold on, remain patient & keep going strong cos it’s only with perseverance that U’ll shine thru & succeed.
I was thinking about 1 thing. It’s Ur intution that made U leave a secure career & join this company. Now it’s in rough waters but tell me, just cos the storm is here, will U abandon the ship & leave the passengers to their fate when U are the captain of the ship? If U lose hope, the others are already dead. I dont think Ur intution brought U here just for U to leave frustrated & uncertain about the future. U know for urself that U are key in this company & if there’s anyone who can make it succeed, U are 1 of them. Just imagine the pride U’d feel when U guide it thru rough seas & anchor it to safety. Every step of life is a risk & the choice is Urs. What’s the guarantee that if U change the company, U’ll be successful there? Here at least, U have earned a whole lot of respect which is more precious than anything money can buy. But then, it’s U who’s going thru the problems & in the end, it’s entirely Ur decision. U know what’s best for U. I can only try to raise Ur spirits & maybe sumwhere in my words, U just might find sumthing thats an answer to Ur problems. If U find a better, guaranteed secure career, then U shud go for it cos ultimately, it’s Ur life. But 1 thing, I’d like to tell U for sure.
U know ships sail in all kinds of weather. A good, loyal captain never abandons the ship until all hope is finally lost (Here I would like to mention that a friend later informed me that a captain never ever leaves his ship & will drown with it) & even then, he first makes sure that all are safe. & it’s been said ‘It’s never over until it’s over’. In stormy seas, the captain & his faithful crew stand steadfast & strong. The passengers maybe of varied categories- those who try to find an escape only for themselves, those who first get the women & children to safety before thinking of themselves, those who offer their help to the captain just in case any help is required, & then even those who blindly jump into the sea in an attempt to save themselves (Thats jumpin from the frying pan into the fire). Apart from the crew & passengers, theres another living thing that reacts. I’m sure U might have heard that when the ship is in trouble, the 1st to abandon the ship are rats & mice. Somehow they sniff trouble & run away. Now it’s Ur decision to figure out what U are- captain, crew, passenger & which category or mouse! Being a mouse isn’t something shameful. Mice cannot help in saving the ship & it’s by their instinct that they warn others of the approaching danger.
There’s a very good book called- ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ by Dr. Spencer Johnson. It’s just 94 pages. If ever U get the chance, do buy it & read it. It will give U insight. It’s not a long story & costs less than Rs. 100. But the knowledge it may give U can be invaluable. Do try to get Ur hands on a copy & read it seriously. Another wonderful book is Jonathan Livingstone Seagull by Richard Bach. Another short story but beautiful & full of positivity. That book was a gift to me from Sandeep. Try it & U won’t repent. Dont say ‘I dont have time’ cos investing a little time can sometimes save U a great deal of worthless time wastage & gift U with success & peace. & remember ‘The only way to have a life is to commit to it like crazy.’
Ok. Enough of lecturing. I just want U to be the best thats why I’m eating Ur head. Now that U’re back, I know U’re gonna be very busy. & I won’t disturb U either. Even I have to get back to my duty. This short vacation I took has done me a lot of good. It’s given me fresh energy, relaxed me & apart from earning a very good friend, it’s given me the strength to move ahead with full throttle.
Luv n Luc,
Just Me!
Whether it was my mail or the book, I have no idea, but the entire team was revved up, plans were made, details sketched & deadlines drawn & each one moved ahead with renewed spirit. Later my friend called me up to inform me the effect of my mail & the book & I’m happy that today he is still with the company, still holding on & still moving ahead with confidence & optimism. Though he is also still on the outlook for a better opening, I am glad about the positivism this book has given him.
I wish all those who may feel a bit down or hopeless or dejected or lost or any negative feeling would simply take up this book & try to find for Urself that one message which will help U move ahead again. The usefullness or misuse of the book (or anything in this world for that matter) depends on how each one of us looks at it & the choice is our own.... All the Best!!!!