Red Mike Message 3-20-25: Who Moved My Cheese?

Good morning, and welcome to the Red Mike. I’m glad you’re here. Happy Thursday!

A while back, I briefly considered calling these messages Game Changer. As I was writing my notes for today, that title seemed pretty appropriate—because whether in sports, work, or life, the game is always changing.

It never stays the same.

That’s the core message behind the business book Who Moved My Cheese?

The book makes a key point: success, stability, and opportunity aren’t permanent. They shift, they move, and sometimes, they get taken away altogether. Somebody moves your cheese. And if you don’t adapt, you’ll get left behind.

In the book, there are two mice—Sniff and Scurry—and two humans—Hem and Haw.

Sniff and Scurry expect scarcity, so when the cheese moves, they roll with it.

Hem and Haw get mad and try to analyze the unfairness of it all.

So, the question is: who are you?

Throughout my career, as a sports participant and coach, and in leadership, I’ve seen people react both ways. The people who drive me crazy are the ones who cling to “that’s how we’ve always done it.”

The ones who don’t get stuck—the ones who recognize change as inevitable—aren’t just going to survive; they’re going to thrive.

It doesn’t matter what the change is:

A leadership shakeup

A budget cut

A policy shift

A completely new way of doing business

A new database

Whatever it is—if you move when the cheese moves, you’re going to be more successful. If you stand around complaining about how unfair it is, you’ll be left behind.

To paraphrase The Rock (1996), and the late, great Sean Connery:

“Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home with the prom queen.”

The full quote is a little off-color, so look it up if you want, but the point remains: whining about change won’t help you. Adapting will.

Sometimes change is incredibly unfair. Sometimes it’s inconvenient. It might even be the result of bad decisions from above. Or maybe—you created the situation. Doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is what you do next.

Lessons From Who Moved My Cheese?

Change is inevitable—expect it and prepare for it.

Adapt quickly. The sooner you let go of the past, the sooner you’ll find success again.

Overcome your fear. Fear of change keeps you stuck.

Recognize early warning signs. Pay attention and try to stay ahead.

Let go of the past. What worked before may not work now.

Visualize success. A clear vision motivates action and adaptation.

Embrace change. It often leads to bigger and better opportunities.

Today’s Challenge

If something in your world is changing, don’t waste time mourning what was. Look ahead. What’s next?

Train yourself to be more like Sniff and Scurry—spot change early, adapt quickly, and move with purpose. Because the cheese is always moving. You can chase it, or you can get left behind.

So chase it.

Win.

And go home with the prom queen.

That’s today’s Red Mike Message.

I hope you found it helpful, and if you haven’t read Who Moved My Cheese?, it’s a short read—pick it up.

Oh, and one more thing—on this day back in 1995, I asked my wife to marry me. Thankfully, she said yes. This December will be our 30th anniversary, and I wouldn’t have wanted to go through all the changes in life with anyone else. Way out of my league.

Thanks for being here. I appreciate you. See you tomorrow.

Life is short—drink the bourbon.

Red Mike Messages are leadership and life lessons I’ve picked up from 25 years as a public servant, 16 years as a youth football coach and scouting volunteer, and 10 years as a mediocre athlete with far more heart than actual physical ability.