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The beginning of a new year is often a period for contemplation, and for many, that encompasses considering our professional paths.

Two editors who left their positions due to organizational changes initially felt it was a disaster.

"I poured everything into the job... I had faith in the ethos we stood for. However, regarding my situation, those principles were absent," she remarks.

They both decided to use the term "fired" and suggest that being open about what happened can assist you process the event.

"People rely on numerous alternative phrases for job loss. But the faster you accept it, the faster you're truthful regarding it, the faster you can advance.

"It's the direct path to what you desire next," she continues.

Currently, they are succeeding in new positions, with one leading her own media company and the other serving as top editor for a high-end journal.

Whether you've been made redundant or are simply contemplating a change, these are four approaches for guidance.

1. Consider The Past Year

It's typical to experience a bit low regarding your job following time off.

A career expert highlights the necessity of introspection prior to launching a new job search.

She suggests individuals to think about what they wish to do more of, what to reduce, and what energizes or exhausts their drive.

Reviewing your achievements to spot recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Try not to considering only the last month, since everyone exhibit to focus on the recent that can hinder your judgment," she notes.

Another professional states it is crucial to establish the role of work fits in your life.

This means being truthful about the amount of time you spend working and the influence on your social life.

After her own experience, she recommends against letting your life be shaped solely by your work.

2. Take Gradual Moves

The expert says people can implement small steps towards changing careers without committing fully.

She took seven years to transition from her corporate career to managing her own business completely, building her project alongside her job, which allowed she could pay herself.

"It took additional time, but that represented how I did it without risk," she explains.

She recommends an experimental method.

This might involve pro bono work, joining a professional project you find appealing, or accepting a new challenge at your present job.

"The worst outcome, you learn you don't like, but it's better to find out now instead of after you've committed fully," she remarks.

She also encourages considering interim roles. These may not be the perfect role, but they serve as progress forward, like a job with similarities to your target field, though not in the exact area.

"It's about allowing yourself the space to say this is good for now, however, that is not permanent.

"That can be an intelligent strategy for getting much closer to a new career."

3. Recall Your Successes

Should you have recently been made redundant from your role, many are in the same boat – redundancy rates have risen markedly in recent times.

A former editor held a senior role for a fashion publication, previously her entire team were made redundant following a decision to closed the print version.

Recognizing that this event did not reflect of her performance assisted her process the change.

"The skills you've gained doesn't go away because you were dismissed.

"Don't relinquish your power, it's important for everybody to recognize their own value."

Her colleague was fired after ten years with a finance publication after a change at the top and the hiring of a new editor.

She emphasizes that a lot of the stigma of dismissal is in your head.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. Chances are very much not you, so avoid carrying that ball of shame forward."

4. Develop a Professional Checklist

If you're urgently looking for work or are utterly miserable with your present job, the temptation is to apply hastily for any vacancy – disregarding what suits you.

Yet, this can be a major error.

Instead, she suggests a method called "reviewing" – filtering opportunities to only position summaries that sound interesting.

She suggests browsing sites like LinkedIn and gathering a selection of that appeal to you.

"Look for {the words|the