Rightsizing has become very relevant today when the entire world is reeling under an unprecedented Global Financial Crisis.

Rightsizing is more politically correct than downsizing and also sounds somewhat noble and appropriate.

When the Corporate World started facing hue and cry on ‘handing out the pink slips’ or downsizing, the spin-doctors came up with this righteous sounding expression-Aha! So that is all about it-‘Employees Alone’-Well Definitely Not.

While it does mean getting rid of extra flab, but not only from the ‘Manpower’-actually in almost everything in our lives.

Rightsizing is a very apt word (even a complete expression) in today’s word of excesses and naked boundless greed –shown by the financial institutions, corporations, governments and individuals.

We have all heard ‘Bigger or Larger is Better’, ‘Small is Cute and Charming’, ‘ Lean Management’, ‘Higher Goals and Targets’, ‘Thin is In’ etc. and they all sound convincing in their own right.

The fact of the matter is however that the mankind wants: –

Higher Status

More Wealth

Bigger Houses, Cars, TVs and what not

Leaner Physiques

Lesser Costs

Higher Turnover

Highest Profits

Most Beautiful Personality

Least Problems

Maximum Fun

Maximum Happiness

Maximum Peace of Mind

Highest G D P

Lowest Poverty

Highest Living Index Rating

Maximum Influence in the World or the Society

The order has been purposely kept random between individual, corporate and government wants.

The list can be very long indeed! Some of these wants (not needs) are quantifiable, while others are open-ended. In effect it means that ‘How Big is Bigger’ or ‘How much Peace of Mind is Maximum’ etc. is always open to our own interpretation.

So how do we decide about the ‘Right Size’-that is a question we have apparently never bothered to ask ourselves, because of the obsession with ‘SIZE’-generally believing ‘Bigger or Greater’ to be more satisfying.

Do some of the ‘Wants’ in the above list (as a combination) appear to be contradictory?

Do we individually or collectively feel that we are the ‘special chosen ones’ who will get all the ‘Maximums’, while apparently many others will not do so in this zero-sum game of life?

A rational analysis will tell us it is not logically possible-but then we do not want to be logical in such ‘Lofty’ matters of ‘Wants’.

What are we then actually doing?

The answer is very simple-‘Buying Grief for Ourselves’ in unimaginable proportions.

So what should be done? The answer is neither too simple nor too difficult, depending on our own perspective and open mindedness.

Differentiate between ‘Needs’ and ‘Wants’.

Stop ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’.

Moderate ourselves, while keeping the hunger for success alive.

Learn to ‘Draw’ limits (don’t worry, these can be redrawn!)

Try to achieve a ‘Balance’ in most of our aspirations.

Understand that ‘There is no Free Lunch’ For every one-dimensional pursuit or parameter of success, there will be sacrifices or compromises in other areas

Answer the Question—Whom are ‘ We Trying to Impress and Why’ and may be you will get some answers for yourself.

ARUN VEDHERA