Personal Development and Study Method

"Have you ever looked around your office and thought that everybody was lost in the Maze? They are! Why?" (Johnson, 2002, p1). This is the question that is found in the first page of the book, "Who Moved My Cheese" by Dr Spencer Johnson. Dr Spencer Johnson is the writer who received a B.A degree in Psychology from the University of California and M.D degree from the Royal College of Surgeon. He completed his medical practice at the Mayo Clinic and Harvard Medical School. In the past, he served as Leadership Fellow at the Harvard Business School. Currently he is the Advisor to the Centre for Public Leadership at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. The book consists of seven parts. The first part entitled "Parts of All of Us", the second "The Story Behind the Story", the third part "A Gathering: Chicago", the forth part "Who Moved My Cheese?: The Story" which is the main core of the book, the fifth part would be A Discussion: Later that Same Day", continue by the "New Cheese!", and finally "Share it With Others". (Johnson, 2002, p.11)

From my point of view, this book is mainly about the changes in life. I found that the four characters are very interesting and each of them has reflected the characteristics of human being just like a mirror. Sniff is the mice who always look for opportunities. He will be the first one to grasp a new opportunity and this reflect some people in an organisation that climb fast in the stairs of success. While, Scurry also acts quick enough to take action, even if it is someone else who found the new opportunity and this is the character that likes to compete to others in an organisation for some opportunities. Haw learns to change when he realizes that changes can lead something better for him and he represents most people in the organisation. People would likely to make change when they are force to. On the other hand, the character of Hem is the one who resists changes and scare to try something new. Hem's character reflected some people in the society that they have really gotten used of their routine and they do not want any changes in their life.

One of the main ideas that the writer trying to convey is the changes occur around us. For example, the cheese available at Station C is full when it is discovered by the characters. But after some time, they found out that there was no more cheese at Station C due to continuous eating. By this, the writer wanted to tells us to change so that we are not left behind. For instance, Scurry and Sniff who make a change earlier could enjoy the cheese at Station N. In contrast, Hem and Haw who remain waiting at Station C went home disappointed and hungry. The author also teaches us to be ready to change quickly and to avoid being losing some opportunities. This shown when Haw often went out into the Maze to explore new areas after he found a great supply of cheese at