Is this your “Who Moved My Cheese” moment?

If I think back on all the changes in my life and career over the past 30 years… it is exhausting.?? But, at the same time, it has been exhilarating.? I have become more resilient over this time and have learned to embrace change, even if it is both unanticipated and uncomfortable.

A Simple Parable

One of the things that helped me learn to digest it all was a disarmingly simple book, Spencer Johnson’s Who Moved My Cheese? ?It uses a straightforward yet powerful parable to explore the discomfort of change and the potential it holds for those willing to embrace it. The story takes place in a maze, where two mice, Sniff and Scurry, and two “Littlepeople”, Hem and Haw, pursue their journey to find cheese to eat every day—a metaphor for the things they rely on or strive for.

Over time, they grow comfortable with the ready availability of cheese and stop noticing it is shrinking. While Hem and Haw cling to the familiar, the two daring mice instinctively begin exploring new parts of the maze, anticipating that change is coming. Haw learns from the mice when the cheese finally disappears and begins to venture into uncharted territory, discovering an even more enormous cheese stash. Johnson’s parable reminds us that while leaving behind what’s familiar can feel daunting, those willing to explore beyond their comfort zones often find greater rewards waiting for them.

Lessons for How We Work

I remember the first time I was given this book, as my own business was unexpectedly acquired, and I found myself needing to adapt to a new way of working. I had no confidence that a simple story would be helpful, but I read it and realized it was a pearl of wisdom with many valuable lessons.? I recognized that I needed to break through my habits, get comfortable with the unknown, and learn that change isn’t one event but a series of events that get me to the next new normal.? Embracing change has not only made me more resilient but has also opened doors to opportunities I never imagined.

Many of us are facing our “who moved my cheese” moment with the rapid emergence of AI.? Will you break through your habits of performing your work?? Will you get comfortable with the unknown of this disruptive tool?? Will you be resilient in the face of this powerful technology's rapid, frequent, and unanticipated advancements?

Time to Move to another Part of the Maze

So, what should you be doing now as you prepare for what I believe will be THE change of our lives?? I think these are the core plays:

Invest in yourself

Do you have the skills to leverage GenAI, agents, and emerging new tools in your profession?? Do you know how to go beyond simple productivity gains and deliver true ROI??? If you don’t or aren’t sure, now is the time to get capable.? The good news is that many amazing free and paid resources exist.?? Here ?are just a few:

?Scaling AI Course (Paid):? Paul Roetzer is an incredible voice of practical, real strategies to scale AI in your organization.

?Google Cloud Skills Boost (Free):? Google gives you the understanding you need to use AI with Google Cloud tools.

?Coursera- AI For Everyone (Free):? What a gift to learn AI from the GOAT, Andrew Ng, of Google Deep Mind fame.

Know what is going on

I think the most challenging part of AI today is that things are moving so fast… how do you keep up??? One thing that I am certain of, “waiting until the dust settles” is not a strategy here.?? I like a few people who have guided me on my journey and keep my thinking current:

Sam Altman:? For right or for wrong, no one is charting the path of AI more than he and OpenAI.

Paul Roetzer:? I love this podcast to keep me up on what has happened each week (spoiler—a lot every damn week) and some of the most insightful thinking on what it all means.

Ethan Mollick:? A Wharton Professor who has advised Presidents, Ethan is at times prickly but always able to see the signal through the noise.? I love his blog post and X Feed.

Stay Curious

This is my challenge to everyone… if you want to chart your course and maintain your relevance in this sea of change, you must experiment, try new things, and connect the dots where it might not be obvious.? This is not once and done, but a commitment to invest in yourself through unstructured discovery regularly.

?I might recommend Adam Grant’s Think Again.? This book emphasizes the importance of questioning assumptions, embracing doubt, and rethinking ideas to fuel personal and professional growth. Grant argues that curiosity is the cornerstone of adaptability, urging readers to adopt a "scientist mindset" by treating beliefs as hypotheses to test rather than truths to defend.? His approach is purpose-built to provide the framing to navigate our changing world.

?All the change in front of you may seem daunting.?? But I challenge you to embrace your “who moved my cheese” moment and choose to find that unexplored area of our complicated maze of existence.? ?I believe that opportunity, growth, and reinvention will unlock the best part of ourselves and our careers.