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The beginning of a new year can be a moment for introspection, and for many, that involves evaluating our work lives.

A pair of editors who left their positions due to organizational changes originally thought it was catastrophic.

"I invested everything into the job... I trusted in the principles we championed. However, regarding my situation, those principles were absent," she says.

Both individuals opted to use the term "fired" and argue that being transparent about the situation can assist you process the event.

"People rely on numerous soft terms for losing a job. Yet, the sooner you accept it, the faster you're truthful about it, the faster you can progress.

"That is the fast track to anything you want next," she notes.

Today, they are thriving in different roles, where one leading her own firm and the other working as lead editor at a prestigious publication.

If you've lost your job or are simply considering a shift, consider these four approaches for guidance.

1. Consider The Past Year

It's common to experience some apprehension concerning your career after a holiday break.

A professional advisor highlights the value of looking back prior to launching a new job search.

She encourages individuals to think about what they wish to pursue more, what they want less of, and what energizes or exhausts their energy.

Reviewing your achievements to find common themes is useful too. "Try to avoid just looking at the recent past, since everyone suffer from for recent-event bias that can obstruct clear thinking," she notes.

A former editor states it is important to establish what place your job fits in your life.

This requires being honest about the amount of time you spend working and its impact on your family and family life.

After being let go, she suggests against letting your identity be defined by your job.

2. Make Small Steps

She notes that professionals can make incremental moves for a career transition without a complete leap.

She herself took seven years to move from a corporate role to managing her own company entirely, building her idea alongside her job, which meant financial stability.

"It needed more time, but that was how I did it without risk," she explains.

She advocates for a "try before you buy" method.

This can include volunteer work, participating in a professional project that captures your interest, or saying yes to a different task in your existing role.

"If it fails, you learn you don't like, however, it's wiser to know now than after you've made the move," she remarks.

She also advises considering interim roles. These might not be the ideal job, but they serve as progress towards your goal, such as a role that shares traits to the career you want, though not in the exact area.

"It involves giving yourself the permission to say this works for now, however, that is not for all time.

"That can be a very smart strategy for moving closer to a career change."

3. Acknowledge Your Successes

If you've recently lost your position, you are not the only one – job cuts have surged markedly lately.

She was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, previously she were made redundant following a decision to discontinued the physical magazine.

Recognizing that this did not reflect of her performance assisted her process the change.

"What you've learned doesn't go away just because you were let go.

"Don't give up your confidence, it's important for all individuals to recall their own worth."

Her colleague was let go following a long tenure with a finance publication following a regime change in senior ranks and the appointment of a new editor.

She stresses that so much of the embarrassment of dismissal is self-imposed.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of people being laid off, it's not personal. It's likely not your fault, so avoid carrying that burden of shame around with you."

4. Build a Job Search List

For those who are urgently looking for a new job or feel deeply dissatisfied at work, the temptation is to jump at at any opportunity – overlooking what suits you.

Yet, this can be a major error.

Instead, she suggests a technique known as "browsing" – filtering opportunities down to role profiles that sound interesting.

She recommends exploring job platforms and gathering several that seem promising.

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