This is always a good time of year in which to reflect on where we've been and where we are going. It is also the perfect opportunity to plan ways to infuse our careers as free agents with extra "life." So, let's give them some CPR. C stands for Consistency; P stands for Patience; and R stands for Responsibility.

C stands for Consistency. How consistent are you in pursuing the areas important for your future? Free agents tend to fall into the class known as "Creatives." Creative people often jump from one task to another, which keeps us enthusiastic, always thinking and busy. But, the downside is that we don't add the consistency needed for success to our marketing, our setting and pursuing the necessary goals, our life-long learning, our networking, and to the overall strategy of our business.

Consistency pays off! It is not easy to set a particular schedule for all of the tasks we have to perform -- I know. My greatest challenge it to keep my life on track. How consistently do you market, even when you have more projects than you can handle? How consistently do you take time to set written goals and review them? How consistently do you take classes and read the latest books and magazines in your areas of interest and career aspirations? How consistently do you take the time to attend networking events and meetings and/or stay in touch with people you can help or can help you in the future? Have you taken the time to form a business strategy and do you follow it consistently?

P stands for Patience. How patient are you about waiting for the results? As creative people, we are always generating new and exciting ideas. The problem is that we may pursue the new idea for a short time. Then when nothing happens quickly, we abandon that idea or practice and try something else. I am not suggesting that you stick with one and only one idea. I am suggesting, however, that I have found that if I pursue a good idea consistently, and remain patient, I reap the rewards and benefits eventually. Lack of patience and belief that an idea will work with time are the enemies!

R stands for Responsibility. We are the ones who are responsible for ourselves and our lives. Even though I know that bad things can happen to good people, I also know that we are responsible for how we react to those "bad things." Yes, even when life isn't fair (and it often isn't), even when we suffer rejection (and a lot abounds for free agents), and even when we are out of work and out of money (I've been there, and it isn't fun), I still know that I am responsible for my life and my situation.

I can sit around (or lie down), moan, groan and complain about the problems and vicissitudes of my life, or I can take responsibility and move forward. I may sound like a Pollyanna, but if there is one lesson I've learned it is that Earl Nightingale was correct when he said that the World's Greatest Secret is, "We become what we think about all day long." If we believe that no matter how hard our life's position appears to be at the time, if we take responsibility for our thoughts and our future, apply our ideas on a consistent basis and remain patient, we will succeed.

So, apply CPR to your life and career, and 2006 will be your best year yet!

Chris King is a free agent, professional speaker, storyteller, writer, website creator / designer, and fitness instructor. Chris has what she calls a