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The beginning of a new year is frequently a moment for introspection, and for numerous people, that involves thinking about our work lives.

A pair of editors who left their roles following company reorganizations at first believed it was a disaster.

"I dedicated my heart into the position... I trusted in the principles we championed. But in my case, that ethos were absent," one of them remarks.

Both individuals decided to employ the word "let go" and argue that being open about what happened can help you deal with it.

"There are numerous alternative phrases for job loss. Yet, the sooner you accept it, the quicker you're truthful about it, the faster you can progress.

"It's the fast track to what you want to do next," she notes.

Today, they are thriving in new ventures, where one owning her own firm and the other holding the position of top editor for a luxury magazine.

For those who have been laid off or are considering a shift, these are four methods to assist you.

1. Reflect On The Previous Year

It's common to have some apprehension about work after a holiday break.

A careers coach highlights the necessity of reflection before starting the search for a new role.

She advises individuals to think about what they desire to do more of, what to decrease, and which factors inspires or drains them.

Looking back at your past successes to spot common themes is also beneficial. "Avoid considering only the most recent period, because we all suffer from for recent-event bias that can hinder your judgment," she notes.

She also notes it is vital to establish what place your job plays in your life.

This means being truthful about how much time you spend working and its effect on your personal life.

Following her job loss, she suggests preventing yourself be dictated by your career.

2. Make Gradual Moves

The expert says people can make incremental moves towards changing careers without diving in headfirst.

She took seven years to move from a corporate role to running a company completely, building her idea alongside her job, which meant she could pay herself.

"It required more time, but that represented how I did it without risk," she comments.

She advocates for an experimental strategy.

This can include pro bono work, participating in an initiative that captures your interest, or saying yes to something different within your current team.

"The worst outcome, you find out that area isn't for you, but it's preferable to know now rather than after you've made the move," she adds.

Additionally, she suggests considering short-term "bridging roles". These might not be the ideal job, but they serve as a step forward, like a job with similarities to the career you want, but in a different industry or sector.

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

"That can be a clever strategy to get nearer to your new career."

3. Remember Your Successes

Should you have recently been made redundant from your job, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have risen to high levels lately.

One professional held a senior role for a fashion publication, but a few years ago she and her team lost their jobs after the company discontinued the physical magazine.

Realizing that this was not indicative of her performance allowed her to process the change.

"Your experience remains with you simply due to were let go.

"Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's important for everyone to recognize their intrinsic value."

Another professional was let go following a long tenure with a finance publication after a change at the top and the appointment of a different editor.

She emphasizes that much of the stigma associated with being fired is internal.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of people being laid off, it's usually not about you. It's probably not about you, so refrain from bearing that burden of shame unnecessarily."

4. Build a Job Search List

If you're urgently looking for a new job or feel utterly miserable in your current role, the temptation is to apply hastily at any opportunity – disregarding personal fulfillment.

However, this represents a major error.

Instead, she suggests a method called "scanning" – filtering opportunities to only role profiles that capture your interest.

She suggests browsing job platforms and collecting a selection of that seem promising.

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