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The start of a new year can be a period for contemplation, and for numerous people, that includes evaluating our work lives.

Two editors who were made redundant from their roles after corporate restructures originally thought their world had ended.

"I invested my heart into the job... I trusted in the principles we championed. But in my case, those principles didn't apply," she says.

Both individuals decided to use the term "fired" and argue that being honest about the situation can help you deal with it.

"People rely on so many soft terms for losing a job. However, the quicker you acknowledge it, the quicker you're honest about it, the faster you can advance.

"It's the quickest route to what you wish to pursue next," she notes.

Currently, they are succeeding in different roles, with one leading her own firm and the other serving as lead editor at a prestigious publication.

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

1. Consider The Past Year

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

A professional advisor emphasizes the necessity of introspection prior to launching a fresh job hunt.

She advises professionals to evaluate what they wish to increase, what they want less of, and what motivates or depletes their energy.

Reviewing your past successes to identify underlying threads is also beneficial. "Try not to considering only the recent past, since everyone exhibit to focus on the recent that can obstruct clear thinking," she states.

A former editor notes it is crucial to determine what place your job plays in your life.

This means being truthful about the amount of time you devote to work and the influence on your family and family life.

After her own experience, she advises not allowing your identity be defined by your work.

2. Implement Incremental Actions

The advisor says people can take incremental moves towards a career shift without committing fully.

She herself took several years to transition from a corporate role to managing a company completely, working on her project concurrently with her role, which meant self-funding from the start.

"It needed a bit longer, but that was the method I used without risk," she comments.

She suggests an experimental method.

This can include pro bono work, getting involved in an initiative you find appealing, or agreeing to a different task in your existing role.

"If it fails, you discover you don't like, however, it's wiser to know now than after you've made the move," she adds.

Additionally, she suggests considering short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the perfect role, but they act as progress in the right direction, for example a position that shares traits to your target field, yet not in the same field.

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

"That represents an intelligent strategy for moving much closer to a new career."

3. Recall Your Successes

For anyone who has just left your position, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have surged markedly in recent times.

A former editor was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, previously she and her team lost their jobs following a decision to ceased print operations.

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

"What you've learned doesn't disappear just because you lost your job.

"Don't relinquish your confidence, it's crucial for everyone to recall their intrinsic value."

Another professional lost her job after ten years with a finance publication due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the appointment of a different editor.

She stresses that a lot of the embarrassment associated with being fired is in your head.

"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. Chances are very much not you, so refrain from bearing that feeling around with you."

4. Build a Career Checklist

When you're desperately seeking a new job or feel utterly miserable with your present job, you might be tempted to apply hastily for any job – ignoring personal fulfillment.

However, this represents a major error.

Rather, she recommends a method called "reviewing" – filtering opportunities to only job descriptions that sound interesting.

She recommends browsing professional networks and gathering around 10 to 15 that seem promising.

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