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The beginning of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that encompasses thinking about our work lives.

A pair of editors who lost their positions due to organizational changes initially felt it was catastrophic.

"I invested everything into that role... I believed in the principles we stood for. Yet, when it came to me, those values weren't there," a former editor remarks.

Both individuals chose to employ the word "fired" and suggest that being transparent about what happened can assist you process the experience.

"There are so many alternative phrases for job loss. But the faster you acknowledge it, the faster you're candid about it, the quicker you can move on.

"It's the quickest route to anything you wish to pursue next," she notes.

Currently, they are thriving in new ventures, where one leading her own media company and the other working as top editor at a prestigious publication.

If you've been made redundant or are contemplating a change, consider these four strategies that can help.

1. Contemplate The Past Year

It's common to feel some apprehension about work after a holiday break.

A careers coach emphasizes the importance of reflection prior to launching a new job search.

She encourages people to consider what they desire to pursue more, what they want less of, and which factors inspires or drains them.

Reviewing your accomplishments to spot recurring patterns is useful too. "Try to avoid considering only the most recent period, since everyone suffer from for recency bias that can obstruct clear thinking," she adds.

A former editor states it is vital to decide the role of work fits in your life.

This requires being candid about the amount of time you're working and its effect on your personal life.

After her own experience, she recommends preventing your identity be defined by your job.

2. Implement Gradual Moves

The expert states that individuals can make small steps for a career transition without a complete leap.

She took several years to move from a corporate role to operating her own business entirely, developing the venture while still employed, which enabled she could pay herself.

"It needed more time, but that was my approach without risk," she comments.

She recommends a test-run method.

This might involve volunteer work, participating in a work project you find appealing, or saying yes to a new challenge at your present job.

"If it fails, you discover that area isn't for you, but it's better to learn now rather than after you've made the move," she remarks.

She also advises looking into short-term "bridging roles". These might not be the perfect role, but they serve as progress forward, such as a role that shares traits to the career you want, though not in the exact field.

"It's about granting yourself the permission to say this works for now, but that does not mean permanent.

"This is a clever tactic for getting closer to that career change."

3. Acknowledge Your Achievements

Should you have recently lost your job, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have risen to high levels in recent times.

She was the top editor for a fashion publication, previously she lost their jobs after the company ceased print operations.

Realizing that this situation did not reflect of her skills assisted her handle the transition.

"What you've learned remains with you because you were let go.

"Don't give up your self-worth, it's important for everybody to recognize their own worth."

The other editor lost her job after ten years at a financial magazine after a change in senior ranks and the arrival of a new editor.

She emphasizes that much of the shame of job loss is self-imposed.

"Considering the vast numbers of people being laid off, it's rarely personal. It's probably very much not you, so don't carry that ball of shame unnecessarily."

4. Create a Professional Checklist

If you're urgently looking for employment or are deeply dissatisfied with your present job, the temptation is to jump at for any vacancy – disregarding your own happiness.

But this is a big misstep.

Rather, she recommends an exercise called "browsing" – focusing your search on position summaries that seem appealing.

She recommends searching professional networks and gathering several that appeal to you.

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