If you decide to freelance, make sure your consulting assignments are for successful companies. You'll still be judged by what you do and how successful the company is as a result of your efforts. If predictability and balance are key issues, then consider joining a big company. Above all, quickly catch yourself playing the blame game-or recruiters will. Smart employers know blamers set themselves up for failure, while people destined for success naturally own up to more responsibility for failures than they deserve.
Winners also get it right the next time.