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A new year's onset can be a moment for introspection, and for numerous people, that encompasses considering our work lives.

Two editors who left their roles due to organizational changes originally thought their world had ended.

"I dedicated everything into that role... I had faith in the ethos we promoted. But in my case, those principles weren't there," one of them says.

They both chose to employ the word "fired" and argue that being transparent about it can help you process the event.

"There are countless alternative phrases for losing a job. However, the quicker you accept it, the faster you're candid about it, the sooner you can move on.

"That's the direct path to anything you wish to pursue next," she adds.

Now, they are excelling in different roles, where one leading her own firm and the other working as lead editor for a high-end journal.

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

1. Contemplate The Past Year

It's natural to feel some unease about work after a holiday break.

A professional advisor highlights the necessity of reflection prior to launching the search for a new role.

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

Looking back at your past successes to find recurring patterns is useful too. "Try to avoid considering only the last month, because we all exhibit for recent-event bias that can impede your judgment," she adds.

A former editor says it is vital to establish where your work occupies in your life.

This means being truthful regarding the hours you're working and its effect on your personal and family life.

After being let go, she recommends preventing your identity be dictated by your work.

2. Make Incremental Actions

The expert says people can make incremental moves for a career transition without diving in headfirst.

She herself required a long period to move from a traditional job to operating her own company completely, building her idea concurrently with her role, which meant self-funding from the start.

"It took more time, but that represented how I did it in a sustainable way," she comments.

She recommends an experimental method.

This might involve volunteering, joining a work project you find appealing, or agreeing to a new challenge in your existing role.

"The worst outcome, you discover it's not a fit, but it's better to learn now instead of after you've committed fully," she adds.

She also encourages looking into interim roles. They are perhaps not the dream position, but they serve as progress towards your goal, like a job with parallels to the career you want, though not in the exact industry or sector.

"It means allowing yourself the permission to accept this is good for now, however, that is not the same as forever.

"That represents an intelligent tactic to get nearer to your desired transition."

3. Recall Your Achievements

If you've recently been made redundant from your job, you aren't alone – job cuts have risen significantly lately.

She was editor-in-chief at a style magazine, but in 2022 she and her team were made redundant following a decision to ceased print operations.

Recognizing that this situation did not reflect of her ability allowed her to process the change.

"Your experience doesn't disappear simply due to were dismissed.

"Don't give up your power, it's crucial for everyone to recognize their own value."

The other editor lost her job after ten years in a business journal due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the arrival of new leadership.

She emphasizes that a lot of the shame 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 feeling unnecessarily."

4. Develop a Career Checklist

For those who are desperately seeking work or are deeply dissatisfied with your present job, the temptation is to apply hastily for any vacancy – disregarding your own happiness.

However, this represents a major error.

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

She advises browsing sites like LinkedIn and gathering around 10 to 15 that seem promising.

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