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A new year's onset can be a period for contemplation, and for many, that encompasses thinking about our work lives.

Two editors who lost their jobs due to organizational changes originally thought their world had ended.

"I poured all my energy into the job... I had faith in the principles we championed. Yet, when it came to me, those values didn't apply," a former editor says.

The two chose to say "fired" and believe that being open about what happened can help you handle the experience.

"We use countless alternative phrases for being dismissed. Yet, the sooner you own it, the faster you're honest about it, the quicker you can advance.

"That is the fast track to anything you wish to pursue next," she adds.

Today, they are thriving in different roles, where one owning her own firm and another working as lead editor for a high-end journal.

Whether you've been made redundant or are simply contemplating a change, consider these four strategies that can help.

1. Contemplate The Previous Year

It's typical to experience some apprehension concerning your career following time off.

A professional advisor highlights the necessity of introspection before starting a new job search.

She encourages individuals to think about what they wish to do more of, what they want less of, and the things that energizes or exhausts them.

Looking back at your achievements to identify common themes is useful too. "Avoid just looking at the recent past, as people often exhibit for recency bias that can hinder clear thinking," she states.

A former editor says it is important to determine what place your job occupies in your life.

This involves being honest regarding the hours you spend working and its effect on your social and family life.

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

2. Make Small Steps

The advisor states that individuals can implement small steps towards a career shift without a complete leap.

She herself took several years to transition from a traditional job to managing her own company entirely, building her idea concurrently with her role, which allowed self-funding from the start.

"It required additional time, but that was how I did it sustainably," she comments.

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

This can include volunteer work, participating in a work project you find appealing, or agreeing to a different task in your existing role.

"The worst outcome, you find out it's not a fit, but it's better to know now rather than after you've made the move," she states.

Additionally, she suggests considering short-term "bridging roles". These might not be the perfect role, but they serve as a move forward, such as a role that shares traits to your target field, but in a different industry or sector.

"It means allowing yourself the leeway to accept this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean for all time.

"This is a very smart approach to get closer to a career change."

3. Remember Your Accomplishments

Should you have recently lost your role, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have surged to high levels lately.

One professional was editor-in-chief at a style magazine, previously her entire team were made redundant after the company closed the print version.

Recognizing that this was not a reflection of her ability allowed her to process the change.

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

"Don't relinquish your power, it's vital for everybody to recall their intrinsic value."

Her colleague was let go after a decade in a business journal following a regime change in management and the appointment of a different editor.

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

"Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. It's probably not your fault, so refrain from bearing that burden of shame unnecessarily."

4. Create a Career Checklist

When you're desperately seeking work or are deeply dissatisfied with your present job, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – overlooking what suits you.

But this is a significant mistake.

Alternatively, she proposes a technique known as "reviewing" – filtering opportunities down to role profiles that sound interesting.

She suggests exploring professional networks and gathering a selection of that appeal to you.

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