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The start of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that includes evaluating our work lives.

Two publishing professionals who left their roles following company reorganizations originally thought it was catastrophic.

"I dedicated all my energy into the position... I had faith in the principles we championed. But in my case, those values weren't there," she says.

Both individuals chose to use the term "fired" and argue that being honest about the situation can assist you deal with it.

"People rely on countless euphemisms for job loss. Yet, the sooner you accept it, the sooner you're truthful about it, the quicker you can progress.

"That's the direct path to what you wish to pursue next," she continues.

Today, they are thriving in new positions, with one owning her own media company and another serving as editor-in-chief for a luxury magazine.

If you've lost your job or are simply considering a shift, consider these four approaches that can help.

1. Consider Last Year

It's common to feel some apprehension concerning your career following time off.

A career expert emphasizes the importance of reflection before embarking on a new job search.

She suggests individuals to think about what they want to do more of, what to decrease, and which factors motivates or depletes their energy.

Examining your accomplishments to spot recurring patterns is useful too. "Try to avoid just looking at the most recent period, because we all have a tendency to focus on the recent that can hinder clear thinking," she adds.

She also states it is vital to establish the role of work plays in your life.

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

After being let go, she suggests against letting yourself be shaped solely by your job.

2. Take Incremental Actions

The advisor says people can implement gradual progress for a career transition without committing fully.

She herself required a long period to transition from a corporate role to running a company full-time, working on her project alongside her job, which enabled she could pay herself.

"It needed more time, however, that was the method I used in a sustainable way," she says.

She suggests a "try before you buy" approach.

This could be volunteer work, joining an initiative you find appealing, or agreeing to something different in your existing role.

"The worst outcome, you learn it's not a fit, however, it's wiser to find out now instead of after you've made the move," she adds.

She also encourages exploring interim roles. They are perhaps not the ideal job, but they act as progress in the right direction, for example a position with parallels to your desired career, yet not in the same area.

"It involves allowing yourself the leeway to accept this is good for now, however, that is not for all time.

"That represents an intelligent approach for moving nearer to your career change."

3. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

For anyone who has recently lost your position, you aren't alone – redundancy rates have surged significantly in recent times.

She held a senior role at a style magazine, but a few years ago she were laid off after the company closed the print version.

Understanding that this situation was not indicative of her ability allowed her to process the change.

"Your experience doesn't disappear just because you were let go.

"Do not surrender your self-worth, it's important for all individuals to recognize their own worth."

Another professional was fired following a long tenure with a finance publication due to leadership changes at the top and the appointment of a new editor.

She emphasizes that a lot of the embarrassment associated with being fired is in your head.

"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. It's probably not your fault, so avoid carrying that ball of shame around with you."

4. Develop a Job Search List

If you're urgently looking for work or are profoundly unhappy with your present job, you might be tempted to apply hastily for any job – disregarding your own happiness.

However, this represents a significant mistake.

Instead, she suggests an exercise called "browsing" – narrowing your search to only position summaries that seem appealing.

She advises browsing job platforms and gathering around 10 to 15 that you like.

"Identify {the words|the