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The start of a new year is often a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that involves evaluating our work lives.

A pair of editors who lost their jobs after corporate restructures originally thought it was catastrophic.

"I poured everything into that role... I had faith in the values we promoted. Yet, when it came to me, those principles didn't apply," she says.

Both individuals chose to say "let go" and believe that being transparent about it can assist you handle the event.

"We use countless euphemisms for losing a job. Yet, the sooner you acknowledge it, the faster you're truthful about it, the quicker you can progress.

"It's the quickest route to whatever you want to do next," she notes.

Today, they are succeeding in new positions, with one leading her own firm and the other serving as lead editor for a high-end journal.

For those who have been laid off or are just considering a shift, consider these four methods for guidance.

1. Consider Last Year

It's natural to experience some apprehension about work after a holiday break.

A professional advisor highlights the value of introspection before embarking on the search for a new role.

She advises people to consider what they wish to do more of, what to reduce, and which factors energizes or exhausts their drive.

Examining your achievements to spot underlying threads is also beneficial. "Avoid considering only the most recent period, since everyone suffer from for recent-event bias that can impede your judgment," she adds.

She also notes it is vital to determine the role of work fits in your life.

This requires being candid about the amount of time you spend working and its effect on your family and family life.

Following her job loss, she advises not allowing your life be dictated by your job.

2. Make Incremental Actions

She says people can make small steps towards a career shift without diving in headfirst.

She herself took seven years to transition from a traditional job to running her own business completely, working on her project alongside her job, which allowed she could pay herself.

"It needed more time, but that represented my approach without risk," she says.

She recommends a test-run method.

This could be pro bono work, participating in a professional project that captures your interest, or accepting something different in your existing role.

"If it fails, you find out it's not a fit, but it's preferable to learn now rather than after you've made the move," she adds.

Additionally, she suggests considering short-term "bridging roles". These might not be the dream position, but they act as progress towards your goal, for example a position that shares traits to your target field, but in a different field.

"It's about allowing yourself the leeway to acknowledge this works for now, however, that is not permanent.

"That can be a clever approach for moving nearer to a career change."

3. Acknowledge Your Achievements

For anyone who has just left your role, you are not the only one – layoff figures have risen markedly in recent times.

A former editor was editor-in-chief at a style magazine, but in 2022 she lost their jobs after the company closed the print version.

Realizing that this did not reflect of her skills helped her handle the transition.

"What you've learned doesn't go away simply due to lost your job.

"Do not surrender your power, it's crucial for all individuals to remember their own value."

Her colleague lost her job after a decade with a finance publication following a regime change in management and the appointment of new leadership.

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

"Considering the vast numbers of professionals losing jobs, it's not personal. It's probably not about you, so don't carry that ball of shame around with you."

4. Create a Career Checklist

If you're actively hunting for work or are utterly miserable with your present job, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – overlooking what suits you.

Yet, this can be a big misstep.

Instead, she suggests a technique known as "browsing" – narrowing your search on role profiles that sound interesting.

She advises exploring job platforms and collecting a selection of that appeal to you.

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