Holiday edition incoming.
Lighter. Practical. Powered by MSL brains on LinkedIn!
No frameworks.
No pressure.
Just smart ideas, real opinions, and an AI move that saved hours of Christmas shopping (while still getting work done).
Because that counts as productivity.
Let’s get into it 
MSLs Have Opinions (Especially About Travel Gear)
Last year, we posted on LinkedIn asking for gift ideas for business travelers and MSLs.
That’s when we discovered something life-changing:
A portable electric blanket exists.
Since then, the post has become an annual tradition. And this year’s update delivered.
Here’s what MSLs swear by heading into 2026:
→ Portable monitors (once you try one, there’s no going back)
→ Large portable batteries that charge laptops and phones
→ Tech organizers that are not gallon-size Ziploc bags (controversial, we know)
→ Silicone cable ties + zippered pouches for charger chaos
→ Cozy airport outfits + comfortable shoes for late-night travel days
→ Ring lights (because hotel lighting is always rude)
And yes — several MSLs proudly defended the Ziploc system.
We respect the efficiency 
We pulled the best ideas together (and added a few of our own) here:
MSL Mastery Gift Guide: Elevate Your 2026.
Real Talk: How Sarah Used ChatGPT Agent to Finish Christmas Shopping
Quick story.
Sarah needed to buy Christmas gifts for her 6- and 7-year-old niece and nephew — but she was also prepping for a talk.
So she used Agent in ChatGPT.
She gave it:
→ Their ages
→ The rule (their mom said no toys)
→ A budget range
The agent: Suggested age-appropriate giftsCompared optionsFound the best pricingSent direct links so she didn’t open 17 tabs
Shopping done in 12 minutes. Work done. Mental bandwidth saved.
This is exactly how we want MSLs using AI:
Not to work more.
But to remove friction from everything around the work.
Try This: The MSL Secret Mira Prompt
This one’s just for fun — and surprisingly useful.
Open Mira and type:
“You’re my MSL Secret Santa — and you actually understand field life. Based on constant travel, hotel rooms, and scientific conversations, I recommend 3 gifts I’d secretly love but would never think to buy for myself. Tell me exactly when I’d use each one.”
No optimization.
No self-improvement spiral.
Just thoughtful ideas from someone who gets the job.
If one of them replaces your charger Ziploc bag… you win
TL;DR
MSLs are elite problem-solvers — especially when it comes to travel The 2026 MSL Gift Guide is live and crowd-approved Sarah used ChatGPT Agent to finish Christmas shopping while prepping a talk Try the Mira prompt for a few fun Secret Santa options
In your corner always,
Patrina, Sarah & Ralph
P.S. Reply and tell us what your MSL Secret Santa recommended.
Upcoming MSL Mastery Events
- Fri 12/19 – Elite Presentation Lab Final Session
- Tues 12/23 – Aspire MSL Group Coaching Call- The Q&A Advantage- How Top MSL Candidates Win the Interview After The Slides End (Workshop Sign-Up LINK)
- Tues 1/6 - RISE Mastermind for New MSLs - Journal Club Mastery (How to Read a Scientific Publication)
- Wed 1/7 - Aspire MSL Office Hours
AI in Medical Affairs Learning Opportunities (2026)
- Jan 27, 2026 - AI in Medical Affairs (Philadelphia)
- Speaker: Patrina Pellett, PhD
- Topic: Building AI agents for Medical Affairs workflows
- Bonus: DM us for a discount code
- Mar 2-4, 2026 - DIA Medical Affairs and Scientific Communications Forum (Boston)
- Workshop Lead: Patrina Pellett, PhD
- Focus: Applying AI across the full MSL workflow
- Why Attend: Packed with practical examples for field teams & leadership
- Mar 24, 2026 - MAPS – MasterClass Field Medical (Denver)
- Speaker: Patrina Pellett, PhD
- Focus: AI in Action: Transforming How Medical Affairs Teams Learn
- Mar 30, 2026 - American Pharmacists Association- APhA Annual Meeting (LA)
- Speaker: Sarah Snyder
- Focus: Say It With Strategy: The Industry Edition
- Apr 29, 2026 - DIA Course (Virtual)
- Speaker: Patrina Pellett, PhD & Sarah Snyder
- Theme: Integrating AI across Medical Affairs
- Outcome: Boost efficiency, clarity & impact
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