It's October.
Between congresses, year-end deadlines, PTO, and holiday schedules, it’s easy to push your own development (and your team's) to January.
“I’ll update my profile then.”
“We’ll work on that skill next year.”
“I’ll figure out AI when things calm down.”
Ed Mylett calls this stretch Separation Season. It's a time when small, consistent improvements can give you a head start on next year.
The idea isn’t to work through the holidays. Sarah’s Christmas tree will absolutely be up. 🎄😂
It’s to choose one thing worth improving now, so January doesn’t arrive with the same problems still on your list.
You don’t need to overhaul your career, your team, or your entire Medical Affairs organization.
But imagine starting next year with a meeting prep routine that takes less time. A clearer way to communicate with leadership. Or a LinkedIn profile you’re finally ready to send to a recruiter.
That’s a worthwhile head start.
The Separation Season Assessment
Take 5 minutes and answer these yourself or put them on the screen at your next team meeting.
1. What worked really well so far this year?
→ DO MORE: What is one thing you should do more of for the next 90 days?
2. What's wasting your time?
→ STOP: What is one thing you can stop, delegate, automate, or simplify for the next 90 days?
3. What's ONE thing you could do before January that would put you ahead?
→ GET AHEAD: That's your Separation Season move.
If you only answer one question individually or as a team, answer #3.
And don't make your answer long. Here are some ideas:
If you're trying to become an MSL...
Please don't buy into "Nobody hires over the holidays."
For the past 3 years, November has been the month when most of our Aspire MSL members landed MSL roles!
Now IS the time. Separation Season moves might be:
- Update the LinkedIn profile you've been meaning to fix.
- Make 10 targeted connections with MSLs, hiring managers, or recruiters.
- Take a 1-hour Interviewing or Networking workshop and apply what you learn:
If you’re an MSL...
Think about a task or conversation you repeat every week. What would make it easier?
You could:
- Shorten meeting prep
- Make your updates land to leadership
- Lead a better conversation
Our one-hour workshops on AI, Executive Presence, and Leadership give you a focused place to start:
If you lead a Medical Affairs team...
Ask your team:
“What’s ONE thing we could improve before January that would make the biggest difference in the field?”
Then give them time to work on it. That could mean:
- Clearer field updates
- More useful AI habits
- Stronger scientific conversations
Choose one skill. Practice it.
Revisit it at a team meeting to hear what people used and what changed. It doesn’t need to become another giant initiative.
Talk with us about a one-hour workshop for your team:
Your Mira Prompt of the Week
Not sure what your Separation Season move should be?
Let AI help you choose.
Copy this into Mira:
"Act as my no-nonsense Medical Affairs coach. Ask me these three questions one at a time: (1) What worked really well this year? (2) What's wasting my time? (3) What could I accomplish before January that would put me ahead next year? After I answer, identify my ONE highest-impact Separation Season move. Explain why you chose it, give me three specific actions to take before December 31, and tell me one thing NOT to spend time on. Keep it simple enough that I'll actually do it."
Take 2 minutes. Come away with ONE priority.
TL;DR: The Separation Season Issue
→ Ed Mylett calls this time of year Separation Season.
→ Ask yourself: What's ONE thing I can do before January that would put me ahead?
→ Aspiring MSLs: Don't disappear from the job market.
→ MSLs: Build one workflow or one skill.
→ Leaders: Pick one capability your team needs and build it now.
You don't have to ruin your holidays working in Q4. You just can't check out now.
In your corner always,
Patrina, Sarah & Ralph
P.S. Want to make a 1-hour workshop your team's Separation Season move? We have short, practical sessions on AI, Executive Presence, and Leadership for MSL teams and leaders.
Reply to this email with SEPARATE & share your one thing.
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