Running head: WHO MOVED MY CHEESE ANALYSIS

Who Moved My Cheese Analysis Chunichi Campbell Queens University of Charlotte

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In dealing with change in life, a person has to move with his or her cheese. Cheese meaning good relationship, health, money, work and anything which will makes one happy. If people take different attitudes toward changes and different paces for the actions, it will have different results. Change will happen without warning, and it is not the biggest battle that shall surface. The greater battle is how to accept change, take action, and not be afraid during the process. The story of Who Moved My Cheese was created by Dr. Spencer Johnson to help people deal with difficult changes in life. It is a parable which tells people amazing principles to use when faced with change in work and in life. This story focuses on adjusting attitudes toward change in order to receive a positive outcome. Change is inevitable and occur whether a person is prepared or not, but Johnson insists that it can be constructive. The outcome is based on ones perspective. The goal is to understand the nature of change and the role it plays in a persons life. To achieve this goal, Johnson presents simple principles to anticipate change, adapt to the change, and enjoy the change. Healthcare is a continually growing field. Due to constant research, evidence based practice, and advances in technology, changes are expected. Even though its expected, it isnt always welcomed. The principles taught in Who Moved My Cheese can be vital to nurses when faced with change. It could also be a great tool for nurse managers when presenting change. Nurse managers should refer to the four personality types presented in the book prior to presenting change. Identifying staff personality types will allow the manager to anticipate reactions to change. This will also give the manager and opportunity to strategically plan prior to implementing change. In the book Sniff anticipates change and updates ideas. The Sniff employees can be used to develop new ways to implement the change or transition. Scurry is a

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doer. The Scurry employees need close monitoring because these employees will go through the motions and simply do what is expected, but may not reveal any complications. Haw is open to change and brings a sense of humor to the job, which makes change easier to swallow. Haw employees are key players because they may help others accept the change. Hem is resistant to change. A nurse manager must show this employee the danger of not changing and provide a secure feeling in the transition. A nurse manager must remember that change plans must address the various motivating factors of all employees. Prior to reading this book, I never really thought about the process of change. After reading Who Moved My Cheese, I realized there are different reactions people have to change and it is directly linked to their personality. Initially, I identified which character I was most similar to in the book. At that point, I was able to recognize my areas of improvement. That was the greatest accomplishment. Now that I have been able to distinguish those areas I can prepare for obstacle I will face with change and use the principles to change my thought process. The information Ive learned from the book can be used on a daily basis, small and large transitions. However, I think it will most useful when Im faced with change that will affect me on a large scale. Just recently I was faced with some unexpected life changes and I was forced to withdraw from an on-campus class. At this point, I have accepted the decision I had to make, but I think if I had the knowledge I have now the conversion would have gone a little smoother. In conclusion, Life will not depend on peoples will, and change will happen in anytime. The best choice is to adapt to the change, and to find new cheese. Facing change, we need to take action firstly, do not complicate simple things. Secondly, we need to keep the concept of changing. We begin to look for new cheese when we still have delicious cheese. Prepare for the new change anytime. In fact, it is more horrible to be afraid to change our inside fear than to look

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for new change. Whatever change happens, we need to remember to change ourselves, adapting to the change, but hoping it change to what it used to be.

WHO MOVED MY CHEESE

References Johnson, Spencer. (1998). Who moved my cheese. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam Inc.