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The beginning of a new year is frequently a period for contemplation, and for numerous people, that encompasses considering our career trajectories.

Two editors who left their positions due to organizational changes originally thought it was a disaster.

"I invested my heart into that role... I believed in the ethos we championed. But in my case, those values weren't there," a former editor remarks.

Both individuals chose to say "let go" and suggest that being honest about the situation can aid you process the experience.

"People rely on numerous soft terms for job loss. Yet, the sooner you acknowledge it, the quicker you're candid regarding it, the sooner you can advance.

"That is the direct path to what you desire to pursue next," she notes.

Today, they are excelling in different roles, where one leading a media business and the other serving as top editor for a luxury magazine.

Whether you've lost your job or are contemplating a change, here are four methods to assist you.

1. Contemplate The Previous Year

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

A careers coach emphasizes the importance of looking back before starting a fresh job hunt.

She suggests individuals to think about what they want to do more of, what they want less of, and the things that energizes or exhausts their energy.

Examining your accomplishments to find underlying threads is also beneficial. "Try to avoid focusing solely on the recent past, as people often exhibit for recent-event bias that can impede the process," she notes.

She also says it is crucial to determine where your work fits in your life.

This requires being honest regarding the hours you're working and its impact on your personal and family life.

After being let go, she suggests against letting yourself be dictated by your work.

2. Take Incremental Actions

The advisor notes that professionals can take gradual progress towards a career shift without committing fully.

She herself required a long period to make the jump from her corporate career to managing her own business full-time, building her project concurrently with her role, which allowed she could pay herself.

"It required a bit longer, however, that was the method I used sustainably," she explains.

She suggests a "try before you buy" method.

This could be pro bono work, joining a work project that interests you, or accepting a different task within your current team.

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

Additionally, she suggests considering temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These might not be the perfect role, but they act as a step towards your goal, like a job that shares traits to your desired career, though not in the exact industry or sector.

"It's about giving yourself the space to say this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean permanent.

"That represents a very smart approach for getting closer to your desired transition."

3. Acknowledge Your Achievements

If you've just left your role, you are not the only one – layoff figures have increased significantly lately.

One professional held a senior role for a fashion publication, previously she were laid off after the company ceased print operations.

Recognizing that this event was not indicative of her skills allowed her to process the change.

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

"Don't relinquish your power, it's important for all individuals to recall their intrinsic value."

Another professional was let go after ten years with a finance publication following a regime change in management and the arrival of a new editor.

She notes that much of the stigma of dismissal is self-imposed.

"With many people being laid off, it's rarely personal. It's probably very much not you, so don't carry that burden of shame around with you."

4. Develop a Professional Checklist

When you're urgently looking for work or are utterly miserable with your present job, the temptation is to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – overlooking personal fulfillment.

But this is a big misstep.

Alternatively, she proposes a technique known as "browsing" – focusing your search down to role profiles that sound interesting.

She advises exploring job platforms and collecting around 10 to 15 that seem promising.

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