It’s your favorite chair or a spot on the couch. It's your trusty, old baseball glove. If you like to cook, it could be your old cutting board or cast-iron pan. In the Fall, it’s a well-worn pair of jeans or, in my case, an increasingly frayed but still unbelievably comfortable pair of NY Giants … Continue reading Worn In Good
Managing Your Career
The Only Way Out Is Through
Readers of this blog know that I’m a firm believer that the peak years of our lives can be our best years. But there’s no denying they can be challenging times as well. As my mom reminds me, “sometimes getting old sucks, but it beats the alternative.” One of the most rewarding parts of writing … Continue reading The Only Way Out Is Through
Old Dogs & New Tricks
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Faithful readers of Peak Years know that I don’t buy into this notion. Sure, it can be harder to learn as we get older. But can’t? No way. I thought of the old dog trope recently while watching the terrific new Netflix documentary, Inside the … Continue reading Old Dogs & New Tricks
Should I Stay Or Should I Go
The Clash’s hit song Should I Stay or Should I Go is about the end of a broken relationship. It’s also a question every professional struggles with at one point or another in their career. Right now, it’s THE question being debated in the corridors of power and across the media as it relates to … Continue reading Should I Stay Or Should I Go
AI and Your Next Salary Negotiation/Have We Reached Peak NFL?
A two for one this week at Peak Years - thoughts on AI and the NFL. Let's start with AI. Like so much else in our world, AI has revolutionized the job search process in a short period of time. ChatGPT writes resumes and cover letters. It is a powerful research tool. And it’s great for interview prep. … Continue reading AI and Your Next Salary Negotiation/Have We Reached Peak NFL?
Sprint to the Finish
She said it almost every day during the transition: “I’m going to sprint to the finish.” The company we worked for, Time Warner Cable, was in the midst of being absorbed by Charter Communications. A number of my colleagues were looking forward to the close of the transaction so they could take their packages and … Continue reading Sprint to the Finish
What’s Your Name?
My name is Fred Bucher. But, if I’m being honest, there have been times in my life when my name was longer and hyphenated. For example, for a good chunk of my career my name was: “Fred Bucher-from-ESPN.” There is a revealing little exercise for determining how much of our identities are tied to our … Continue reading What’s Your Name?
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
The break-up. The end of a relationship. For eons it’s been a bottomless well of inspiration for artists, musicians, and writers. And that will never change. As long as humans walk the Earth, we will seek solace and comfort in art from the emotional pain of break-ups. Now before you stop reading, rest assured I’m not about to offer … Continue reading Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
A Shout Out to Tough Bosses
Everyone should have at least one tough boss in their career. Nothing will make you stronger, better, more aware of new possibilities and just flat out smarter. I’ve worked for some very tough bosses during my career. (Check out my blog post, When I Worked for Andrew Cuomo). It certainly wasn’t easy, at times it … Continue reading A Shout Out to Tough Bosses
The Boss’s Job
Very often it’s the one we most covet. We look at the person immediately above us on the corporate ladder and think we could do that job. We want that job. This is especially true for the young and ambitious. Early in your career when you’re eager to take the next step, make more money, … Continue reading The Boss’s Job
Forget Passion, Be Curious
“Find your passion.” Sometimes it’s “follow your passion.” How many times have young people heard this piece of advice? The “find/follow your passion” mantra is not just for the young. It’s common advice for dissatisfied or uninspired professionals at any age looking for a better path. It’s so prevalent because it holds a lot of … Continue reading Forget Passion, Be Curious
Son, Can You Play Me A Memory
Seeing Billy Joel perform live at Madison Square Garden is one of the quintessential New York musical experiences. The highlight of the show is listening to 19,000 people sing along to “Piano Man.” Even if you’re not a huge Billy Joel fan, you have no pulse if you don’t get caught up in the moment. … Continue reading Son, Can You Play Me A Memory
Reading What’s Written In The Stars
“If it’s written in the stars” said the female protagonist in a book I read recently. She was wondering whether fate would eventually make it possible for her and the man she longed for to live happily ever after. You’ve probably heard the expression before. It’s a well-worn cliché, but it did get me thinking … Continue reading Reading What’s Written In The Stars
Know Thyself During Your Job Search
Sadly because of the pandemic many more people are currently, or soon will be, looking for a new job. As someone going through a career transition currently, I put together a brief video to share a few thoughts on the process. I hope it's useful. Also, I want to thank everyone for reading my blog … Continue reading Know Thyself During Your Job Search