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The start of a new year is frequently a time for reflection, and for numerous people, that encompasses considering our professional paths.

Two editors who lost their roles following company reorganizations originally thought their world had ended.

"I dedicated everything into the job... I believed in the ethos we stood for. Yet, when it came to me, those values were absent," a former editor remarks.

Both individuals chose to employ the word "fired" and believe that being honest about it can aid you process the experience.

"We use countless soft terms for losing a job. But the faster you own it, the quicker you're candid regarding it, the sooner you can advance.

"That is the direct path to what you wish to do next," she continues.

Today, they are excelling in new positions, with one running a media business and another holding the position of top editor for a luxury magazine.

Whether you've been made redundant or are simply contemplating a change, consider these four approaches to assist you.

1. Consider Last Year

It's typical to feel some apprehension about work post-festive period.

A professional advisor highlights the value of reflection before embarking on a fresh job hunt.

She suggests people to consider what they want to increase, what they want less of, and the things that motivates or depletes their drive.

Reviewing your past successes to find recurring patterns is useful too. "Try not to considering only the last month, as people often suffer from for recency bias that can obstruct the process," she states.

She also notes it is important to determine what place your job occupies in your life.

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

After her own experience, she advises preventing your life be shaped solely by your job.

2. Implement Incremental Actions

She states that individuals can implement small steps for a career transition without a complete leap.

She took seven years to transition from her corporate career to managing her own business full-time, working on the venture alongside her job, which enabled financial stability.

"It required additional time, however, that was my approach sustainably," she says.

She recommends a test-run method.

This might involve volunteering, joining an initiative you find appealing, or saying yes to a different task within your current team.

"Worst case scenario, you find out you don't like, however, it's wiser to find out now rather than after you've switched careers," she states.

She also encourages exploring interim roles. They are perhaps not the dream position, but they act as progress forward, like a job that shares traits to the career you want, but in a different industry or sector.

"It's about giving yourself the permission to acknowledge this is suitable temporarily, however, that is not for all time.

"That can be a very smart tactic for moving much closer to your desired transition."

3. Acknowledge Your Achievements

If you've recently been made redundant from your role, you aren't alone – redundancy rates have increased to high levels in recent times.

A former editor held a senior role in a magazine, previously she were made redundant after the company discontinued the physical magazine.

Realizing that this was not a reflection of her skills helped her process the change.

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

"Don't give up your power, it's vital for everyone to remember their own worth."

Another professional was fired following a long tenure in a business journal following a regime change at the top and the hiring of new leadership.

She stresses that much of the shame associated with being fired is in your head.

"Considering the vast numbers of professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. It's probably not about you, so avoid carrying that ball of shame unnecessarily."

4. Build a Career Checklist

If you're actively hunting for employment or are utterly miserable in your current role, it can be tempting to apply hastily at any opportunity – ignoring what suits you.

But this is a significant mistake.

Alternatively, she proposes a method called "scanning" – filtering opportunities on role profiles that sound interesting.

She recommends exploring job platforms and gathering a selection of that seem promising.

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