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A new year's onset is often a period for contemplation, and for a lot of us, that involves evaluating our career trajectories.

Two editors who lost their positions following company reorganizations originally thought it was catastrophic.

"I invested all my energy into the job... I believed in the principles we promoted. However, regarding my situation, those values didn't apply," one of them remarks.

Both individuals opted to say "fired" and believe that being open about it can help you handle it.

"People rely on so many alternative phrases for losing a job. But the faster you acknowledge it, the faster you're truthful regarding it, the faster you can move on.

"That's the fast track to whatever you desire to do next," she adds.

Now, they are succeeding in different roles, with one running a media business and another serving as editor-in-chief for a luxury magazine.

If you've been laid off or are contemplating a change, here are four methods that can help.

1. Reflect On The Previous Year

It's typical to feel a bit low about work post-festive period.

A career expert highlights the value of looking back before starting a new job search.

She suggests professionals to evaluate what they wish to increase, what to reduce, and what energizes or exhausts their energy.

Reviewing your past successes to find recurring patterns can also help. "Try not to considering only the last month, since everyone exhibit for recency bias that can obstruct your judgment," she adds.

She also notes it is crucial to establish the role of work fits in your life.

This involves being candid about how much time you're working and its impact on your personal life.

After her own experience, she advises not allowing yourself be shaped solely by your work.

2. Take Small Steps

The expert notes that professionals can implement incremental moves towards a career shift without diving in headfirst.

She herself took several years to move from a corporate role to running her own company full-time, building her project while still employed, which meant financial stability.

"It took more time, however, that was how I did it sustainably," she says.

She advocates for an experimental method.

This might involve volunteering, joining an initiative you find appealing, or accepting a different task at your present job.

"If it fails, you learn it's not a fit, but it's better to find out now than after you've committed fully," she remarks.

She also encourages considering temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These may not be the dream position, yet they function as progress towards your goal, such as a role with parallels to your target field, though not in the exact area.

"It means giving yourself the permission to accept this is good for now, however, that is not for all time.

"This is an intelligent approach to get nearer to your new career."

3. Acknowledge Your Successes

Should you have recently lost your job, you aren't alone – redundancy rates have increased markedly lately.

A former editor was editor-in-chief in a magazine, but in 2022 she and her team were made redundant when the firm closed the print version.

Realizing that this was not a reflection of her ability assisted her process the change.

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

"Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's crucial for everyone to remember their own worth."

Her colleague lost her job after a decade at a financial magazine due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the hiring of a different editor.

She stresses that so much of the stigma of job loss is in your head.

"Considering the vast numbers of individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. Chances are not about you, so avoid carrying that burden of shame forward."

4. Develop a Professional Checklist

For those who are actively hunting for work or are utterly miserable with your present job, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – ignoring what suits you.

But this is a big misstep.

Alternatively, she proposes an exercise called "browsing" – focusing your search to only role profiles that seem appealing.

She advises exploring job platforms and saving several that seem promising.

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