Who Moved My Cheese

By Allison Berman
June 2, 2009

What happened to my cheese?

What am I talking about? A book I read several years ago called, "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson. It suggests perpetually "checking your cheese supply" and if you notice it depleting, hunt for more food elsewhere before you run out.

Seems obvious enough, right?

Then why don't people who are unhappy at work look for a new job until they are fired? Or stay in a futureless relationship when they ultimately want to get married and have children? Somehow it seems safer to stay with the devil you know than explore the unknown and still potentially be "cheese-less."

It struck me as an interesting concept when I read the book, and in this economy it seems especially relevant as countless people compete for few open positions. How do you go about finding new cheese?

The answer might be thinking outside the box, trying to repackage your skills to do something new.

Stay-at-home moms are finding it particularly hard to re-enter the workforce. Many are looking to go back into whatever industry they were in previously, competing for the same jobs as the people who never left the workforce.

Don't underestimate the skills you honed being home. Chances are you developed your management skills negotiating with your children and your event planning skills too. (Exactly how many birthday parties and play dates have you hosted over the years?) And if you've been handling the family finances, you're probably a wiz at maintaining a budget.

I spent years complaining about the people who "took away my cheese." Nothing magically changed back to the way it once was, or more to the point the way I wanted it to be. All it did was make me more resentful at the "cheese movers" and angry at myself for wasting my time.

It wasn't until I started venturing outside my comfort zone, I started finding new cheese.

I tried earning money as an artist rather than begrudging the lack of local marketing positions. I parlayed my experience writing countless marketing pieces, to get this column. It was intimidating to open myself up to the public critique, but the positive feedback has been wonderful nourishment and the occasional negative comment doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would.

Recently, rather than focusing strictly on selling accessories to people looking to update their "look," I checked my cheese often and was "in touch" with my customers.

I now compliment the accessory "line" with garage sale dressers and such that I refinish for grown up rooms. I found an excuse to support my "garage sale habit" and my customers end up with significantly better quality pieces than the laminate they would otherwise buy. Plus I have a new revenue stream.

Your "cheese" can represent your job or a relationship with a friend of family member. I know I have a whole arsenal of cheeses on which I am constantly keeping tabs.

Don't let you fear of change cause you to go hungry. You are responsible for your cheese, your nourishment, and ultimately your happiness.

Allison Berman, an artist and mother of two, handpaints custom home accessories for interior designers and private customers. She works out of her home studio in Warwick, NY. See her collection at www.withlovealib.com. She can be reached at ali@withlovealib.com. Her column appears Tuesdays.