Fresh Start Monday #029: Three ideas from, “Who moved my cheese?”

I must be in a short book phase. I read, “Who Moved My Cheese?” which is a 94-page parable written by Spencer Johnson. The book explores how to handle change in your life through a short story that reads almost like a children's book.

It doesn’t take more than an hour or two to read. I won't go into the parable, but here are three ideas from the book:

Always be aware that change is coming

Let's say you find yourself in a great job in your ideal industry. Onboarding went smoothly, and you've formed solid relationships with your manager and colleagues over the first year.

One day, you receive news your direct manager is leaving the company. You'll miss them, but don't think much of it. Three months later, your best friend at work says farewell, and you learn that you've been reassigned away from the project that attracted you here.

In this scenario, it's common to stay the course. It's a stable job. You remember the good times. You think, let's wait six months once this rocky period passes.

It's kinda like finding a small hole in your favorite pair of pants. You notice it but might not do anything about it. Until one day, you have no choice but to throw them out. By being aware of small changes happening around us, we can sew the hole and or get a new pair of pants.

Being aware of change prevents us from being in a position of need.

Take control instead of letting things happen to you

We sometimes wait for situations or our lives to unfold. At work, it might be, will I receive the promotion I want? Will I receive the salary I want? Will I have the role I want?

Unfortunately, waiting is indefinite. One month becomes three, three months becomes three years.

Taking control is immediate. You might not get what you want immediately, but it's progress.

By waiting, we only have choices that are presented to us.

We're happier when we aren't run by our fear

Making significant changes in our life is scary, no matter how much change you've gone through before.

We sometimes feel imprisoned by our circumstances. It's not until we take the first step that we feel the power within us.

This is different from #2. This is the feeling created by being in control of our lives.

We feel a sense of purpose even if we might not find that next job right away.

We build trust in ourselves by forging ahead, even if we don't know exactly where we're going.

When we initiate change, movement creates freedom.