Have you read Who moved my Cheese? by Dr Spencer Johnson? If you haven’t, read it now! If you have, read it again!

It’s a great book about making changes (and it is not very long). I read it about 15 years ago and have just read it again with a younger generation. It appeals to all ages, that’s the magic. It is a fun and imaginative story about mice, cheese and a maze with a serious message about how you can look for what you want in life to make you happy. The perfect balance for all!

When I was reading it, it made me think about all the changes I have made in my life, particularly in developing my career, as well as ones I am thinking of making in the future. It also made me think about the mixture of emotions that can accompany change such as feeling excited, daunted, worried and happy.

My experience of change may be very different to your experiences of change. However, what we all have in common is that we all experience it. Change is happening all the time in the world, within our own environments, to people around us and within us. It can be simple. It can be complicated.

No matter who you are or how old you are, we all experience change in our lives and cope with it in different ways. Sometimes we know what to do to adapt to or make a change, but sometimes we have no idea where to start and that can be tough. You might know that a change is needed but just can’t see how to make that first step towards making it or perhaps you don’t even know what change you need. You may be experiencing job loss, wanting a career change or perhaps something else has happened in your life that requires you to rethink your career.

Whatever your circumstances, when considering making a change think of it as changing traffic lights.

1. Stop!
   • Think about you first. What do you want? What will make you happy? What part of the change are you alone responsible for? This is the part that you can control.
   • Relax and enjoy imagining what life will be like if you made the change. This is the part that will make you feel excited and motivated.
2. Get ready!
   • Think about who else will be involved or impacted by the change? How will it affect them?
   • How does the change fit in within the world around you?
3. Go for it!
   • Take action and start taking some steps towards the change you want to make.
   • Seek help as necessary.

Making the first step towards change can be so worth it.