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The beginning of a new year is frequently a period for contemplation, and for numerous people, that includes considering our work lives.

Two publishing professionals who were made redundant from their jobs due to organizational changes initially felt it was a disaster.

"I invested all my energy into the job... I believed in the ethos we stood for. Yet, when it came to me, those principles weren't there," one of them states.

The two opted to use the term "dismissed" and believe that being open about the situation can assist you process the event.

"There are numerous euphemisms for job loss. However, the quicker you accept it, the faster you're candid about it, the sooner you can advance.

"It's the direct path to anything you desire to do next," she adds.

Now, they are excelling in new ventures, where one leading her own media company and the other serving as lead editor for a luxury magazine.

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

1. Contemplate The Past Year

It's natural to feel some unease about work post-festive period.

A career expert highlights the value of reflection prior to launching the search for a new role.

She encourages individuals to think about what they desire to pursue more, what to reduce, and the things that inspires or drains their drive.

Examining your achievements to identify underlying threads is also beneficial. "Try not to focusing solely on the last month, because we all have a tendency to focus on the recent that can impede your judgment," she states.

She also states it is important to determine the role of work fits in your life.

This involves being candid about how much time you spend working and its effect on your family and social life.

After her own experience, she recommends against letting your identity be dictated by your work.

2. Take Gradual Moves

The advisor says people can implement small steps for a career transition without committing fully.

She required a long period to move from a traditional job to managing her own business completely, developing her idea alongside her job, which meant financial stability.

"It required additional time, but that represented how I did it in a sustainable way," she explains.

She recommends an experimental strategy.

This might involve volunteering, participating in a professional project you find appealing, or accepting something different at your present job.

"If it fails, you discover it's not a fit, but it's preferable to know now instead of after you've switched careers," she states.

Additionally, she suggests looking into short-term "bridging roles". These may not be the perfect role, yet they function as a step in the right direction, such as a role with parallels to the career you want, though not in the exact field.

"It means allowing yourself the leeway to say this is suitable temporarily, however, that is not for all time.

"That represents a very smart approach to get much closer to your new career."

3. Recall Your Achievements

Should you have recently been made redundant from your role, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have surged markedly in recent times.

She was editor-in-chief in a magazine, but a few years ago she were laid off after the company closed the print version.

Recognizing that this was not indicative of her performance helped her handle the transition.

"What you've learned doesn't go away simply due to were dismissed.

"Do not surrender your power, it's important for everybody to recognize their own worth."

Her colleague was fired after a decade at a financial magazine due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the hiring of new leadership.

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

"Given that hundreds of thousands of professionals losing jobs, it's usually not about you. It's likely very much not you, so avoid carrying that burden of shame forward."

4. Create a Job Search List

If you're urgently looking for work or are profoundly unhappy in your current role, it can be tempting to apply hastily for any vacancy – ignoring your own happiness.

Yet, this can be a major error.

Rather, she recommends an exercise called "reviewing" – filtering opportunities down to position summaries that sound interesting.

She suggests searching sites like LinkedIn and saving a selection of that seem promising.

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