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The start of a new year is frequently a period for contemplation, and for numerous people, that involves evaluating our professional paths.

A pair of editors who lost their jobs following company reorganizations initially felt their world had ended.

"I invested my heart into the position... I trusted in the values we promoted. Yet, when it came to me, that ethos weren't there," a former editor remarks.

They both chose to say "let go" and believe that being honest about it can help you handle the event.

"We use so many euphemisms for losing a job. However, the quicker you accept it, the sooner you're candid about it, the faster you can progress.

"It's the fast track to what you desire to do next," she continues.

Now, they are excelling in new ventures, where one owning her own media company and another holding the position of top editor for a luxury magazine.

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

1. Contemplate The Previous Year

It's typical to experience some unease about work after a holiday break.

A careers coach emphasizes the importance of introspection before embarking on the search for a new role.

She advises individuals to think about what they wish to pursue more, what to reduce, and the things that inspires or drains their energy.

Looking back at your accomplishments to find common themes can also help. "Avoid considering only the last month, because we all have a tendency for recent-event bias that can impede your judgment," she states.

She also notes it is important to establish what place your job fits in your life.

This means being honest about how much time you're working and its effect on your social life.

Following her job loss, she recommends preventing your identity be defined by your work.

2. Take Incremental Actions

She states that individuals can make gradual progress for a career transition without committing fully.

She took several years to transition from a corporate role to managing her own company completely, developing the venture alongside her job, which allowed financial stability.

"It took additional time, however, that was my approach in a sustainable way," she says.

She recommends a test-run strategy.

This could be volunteer work, participating in a work project you find appealing, or accepting something different within your current team.

"If it fails, you find out you don't like, but it's preferable to know now instead of after you've made the move," she adds.

She also encourages considering short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the ideal job, but they act as progress in the right direction, for example a position with parallels to your desired career, though not in the exact area.

"It means allowing yourself the space to say this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't the same as forever.

"That represents a clever strategy for moving closer to that new career."

3. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

If you've just left your job, many are in the same boat – job cuts have increased markedly in recent times.

A former editor was the top editor in a magazine, previously her entire team were made redundant after the company discontinued the physical magazine.

Recognizing that this event was not indicative of her ability allowed her to process the change.

"The skills you've gained doesn't go away just because you were let go.

"Don't give up your confidence, it's crucial for everybody to remember their own value."

The other editor lost her job after ten years with a finance publication following a regime change in management and the appointment of new leadership.

She notes that much of the shame associated with being fired is in your head.

"Considering the vast numbers of individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. It's likely very much not you, so avoid carrying that ball of shame unnecessarily."

4. Build a Career Checklist

When you're actively hunting for work or are utterly miserable at work, the temptation is to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – ignoring what suits you.

But this is a big misstep.

Instead, she suggests a technique known as "browsing" – focusing your search down to position summaries that seem appealing.

She recommends searching job platforms and collecting several that appeal to you.

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