19 | Organize Your Brain & Live a Pain-Free Life When Working From Home with Dr. Megan Ehrlich -

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Table of Contents

Podcast Description

If you’re an online entrepreneur that’s having to juggle all the things alongside your in-person job, this episode is for you. In this episode, we have a special guest, Dr. Megan Ehrlich who is right there with you, juggling her in-person practice helping patients with pain relief while transitioning to a more online model to help work from home professionals like you through her content, courses, coaching and memberships.

We dive into how she organizes all the things and even shares some tips on how we can take care of ourselves better to avoid some of the back and neck pain you may be experiencing from sitting at your desk for long periods each day.

Links Referenced in Episode:

▶ Sign up for the Free Pain-Free Desk Checklist

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About Our Guest

My name is Dr. Megan Ehrlich and I am a physical therapist and pain relief coach. I have been a physical therapist for almost 5 years helping adults with chronic pain and overuse injuries. During the pandemic, I realized how limited resources were regarding staying healthy and active without relying on medication and doctor’s visits. About a year ago, I decided to help change that. I made a shift into online coaching to help adults focus on things they can control to stay healthy and active without pain holding them back.

Find Megan here:

Diligence Physical Therapy and Wellness | Free Pain-Free Desk Checklist| Follow on IG

Episode Transcript

(Note: This is a formatted AI-generated transcript to make it easier for you to read through, but is not an optimized blog post. Please excuse any spelling or grammar errors and filler words – it’s just how I speak LOL)

Guest Welcome + Intro

Lucy Reyes: If you’re an online entrepreneur, that’s having to juggle all the things alongside your in-person job, this episode is for you. I have a very special guest who is right there with you. Dr. Megan Ehrlich juggles her in-person practice, helping patients with pain relief while transitioning to a more online model to help work from home professionals like you through her content courses, coaching and memberships.

We dive into how she organizes all the things and she even share some tips on how we can take better care of ourselves to avoid some of the back and neck pain that you may be experiencing from sitting at your desk for long periods of time. It was such a fun conversation so let’s dive in.

Hey, I’m Lucy Reyes, your host of the Cheerful Productive Chats Podcast, where I’m on a mission to help online entrepreneurs like you focus on all the right things and kiss overwhelm goodbye. Here, you’re going to learn strategies that will boost your productivity so that you can scale your online biz and impact lives sooner. It’s your time to shine! So let’s get started.

All right. So I am so super excited to welcome a very special guest to the podcast today. Her name is Megan Ehrlich, and she is a physical therapist and a pain relief coach. She has been a physical therapist for almost five years helping adults with chronic pain and overuse injuries.

During the pandemic, she realized how limited resources were regarding staying healthy and active without relying on medication and doctor’s visits. So she decided to make a shift into online coaching to fill this gap. So Megan, welcome to the Cheerful Productive Chats Podcast. So how did you end up in this online space? So talk to us a little bit about that journey.

Running an In-Person Practice & Online Business

Megan Ehrlich: Yeah. So, I’ve been a physical therapist for almost five years now and I was always drawn to working with chronic pain.

I was diagnosed with a chronic pain condition when I was a teenager. Then I got into actually leading a pain relief class at my last job. So it was an in person class that I did just helping people understand their pain, focus on things that they can control and then the pandemic hit.

And so everyone who felt like they were kind of living life and managing well when it came to pain that wasn’t working anymore. And so for me, that kind of forced me to kind of think outside the box a little bit, just like a lot of other businesses, like how can I still provide the care that my patients needed without them feeling like they needed to come into the office.

And so that is when I actually launched my first online course. And then, I realized, wow. Like I kind of like working for myself and so then I realized being a licensed professional, I could see people as a physical therapist in my business.

And that’s kind of, how I don’t even remember exactly how I first met you, but I saw your course and was like, I need help. There were so many moving parts, so many things I was doing.

And so I was just very overwhelmed with like all of the things that I was doing and just like seeing it and figuring out, like, how do I like, kind of organize my brain and organize everything.

And so yeah, that’s kind of my story now. I like my in person business that I still do, but I’m really transitioning to more of the online resources to just kind of help people, help themselves essentially, and just make everything more accessible so people can live their life pain-free.

First Attempts at Organizing All the Things

Lucy Reyes: That is so much that I have so many thoughts. I want to comment back on what you just shared. Um, so before we move forward into like talking about business organization and all of that, I just wanna say that you nailed it spot on because when I really transitioned into working from home from my corporate job, I had so much pain I’m not moving around as much, like I used to at the office.

And I’m just typing all day long. I was mostly focused on blogging at the time and on top of like not having the resources available online, something like that is even something that I wouldn’t really be comfortable going to the doctor’s office for. So that , you nailed it right there on that part.

Megan Ehrlich: Yeah. And I mean, it all, it all comes together like everyone’s life has shifted. It comes down to being productive too. It’s like you wanna make good use of your time and your own resources. So it all, it all ties in.

Lucy Reyes: Yeah, for sure. And that’s a big transition that you’re doing from in person services to not just one of the online things, but you’re doing coaching and course creation and a membership.

So how were you trying to organize your business before you even joined Level Up Your Biz with Trello?

Megan Ehrlich: Gosh, it’s hard to remember exactly what I was doing.

I did purchase just like a mini course on Trello. I used to have sticky notes, just like all over. And it’s like, I lose the stupid sticky note.

And so it doesn’t help. Or I have multiple tabs open or like a Google doc that would have links to like other Google docs. And honestly, like I would create folders in Google doc and it just, it just wasn’t working. I would just have notebooks with random notes and it’s like, what does this even mean?

And so it wasn’t really a very cohesive system at all. And I would use like Google calendar to schedule things and I would sync it with my patient scheduling app. but in terms of keeping track of anything, I would just forget that I even made one, it was just such a mess. It was such a mess.

Related Post: How to Use Trello to Organize Your Business

The Power of Organizing Using Strategic Systems

Lucy Reyes: Yeah. I can relate to all that. And it’s funny, cuz it’s a, it’s a common thing where like a Trello kind of replicates like digital sticky notes. And that’s something that I love that I do here all the time. I did have like sticky notes, but they would all fly off, so I would try to tape it. And then that looked tacky.

So, where are you at now with your organization and productivity now after having been through the program? Cause you’ve only been in for a few months.

Megan Ehrlich: Yeah. So when I first joined the program, I think I messaged you right away, because I like dedicated my whole day to going through the program. I was like, I need an overhaul. Like I need this so bad. So I went through everything and I started that day. It seriously saves me so much time. And I just don’t think people realize how much time we waste, just trying to figure out where the heck we left off.

And so if I just put an “in progress” label on something, it’s so much easier. It’s just so much easier to find things and just pick up where I left off and just move so much faster and less distracted cuz everything is just there and linked to each other.

So I’m not like leaving to go check my Google drive and then realizing there’s something in there I was gonna do. No, it’s just all there.

Lucy Reyes: Yeah. I actually, uh, remember whenever you messaged me and it was the same day and I was like, you just got in.

Megan Ehrlich: You’re probably like, oh my gosh, she’s crazy. Why are you doing all of this?

Lucy Reyes: I was like, really already but I feel like that just goes to show where you were at at the time where you felt like, oh, my goodness, I need to implement this. Like I need to have some sort of system, because like you said, people don’t realize how much time is wasted just by trying to figure out where you left off or trying to find that one thing that now you don’t know where it is.

And then that just kind of causes this trickle effect of, oh, I’m not focused or now I’m distracted. Let me get on my phone and scroll on social media. And now before you know it, 30 minutes has passed. And then put that on repeat multiple times a day, and then by the end of the week, that’s where people are like, I didn’t get anything done.

Why You Should Leave a Visual Trail of Completed Tasks

Megan Ehrlich: Yeah. And it’s really nice when you go and you look at your completed tab for like the day. I do mine for the month, just so I can keep track of everything I did. That’s when I clear it. But just looking back, see like, yes I did accomplish all of these things.

It’s also just really encouraging and it’s not something that you can do in Google Drive the same. It’s not the same, or like stacking up your sticky notes. Like you actually like to see the trail, which I find really encouraging.

Lucy Reyes: It’s the little things, but it’s little things like that, that I feel like helps remind you that you are moving along. that you are taking baby steps towards whatever it is that you are trying to accomplish and do, and all of those different things.

Make Organizing Your Business a Priority

Lucy Reyes: So when I tend to talk to some people about getting organized, one of the things that I hear a lot is that they don’t have time to organize their business. Right? Because as an online business owner, you are trying to do all of these different things.

And so organizing your business seems like one of the last things that you really want to be doing. So what advice would you say to anyone who is still hesitant on making their business organization a priority?

Megan Ehrlich: Yeah, that I, I don’t like that because , it’s one of those things, like the longer you wait, like the harder it’s gonna get, because you’re gonna get so stuck in your ways, on your process that isn’t working.

And if we’re being honest with ourselves, we know that our process isn’t working. We do know that. We’re just not ready to make that big change. And when I did it, I just set aside the whole day, that’s just what I wanted to do.

I just wanted to get it started, but honestly, like I saved so much time just by doing it and having a system because once your business grows and you start adding multiple components to it, if that’s what you wanna do, it’s only gonna get more complex if you don’t have systems in place.

Like, it’s not going to get easier by pretending it’s not there. It’s just going to get harder and you’re gonna have more things to organize and more things to move around. So really I think the earlier you can start the better.

And it’s not going to waste time long term. It’s gonna be a couple hours up front, but it’s gonna save you so much time. And if you ever expand a team, now you actually have a system to teach them and show them versus like pulling out all your sticky notes and hoping that they understand it.

Lucy Reyes: Yes,

Megan Ehrlich: It doesn’t work.

The Sooner the Better

Lucy Reyes: So much good things. Remind me again, how long you were in the online space before you joined the Level Up Your Biz with Trello?

Megan Ehrlich: I kind of got into the online world in phases, but I would say I was probably only like two months into really committing to like switching.

Lucy Reyes: And you said it took you one day. So by the time I figured out systems, I had been in the online space maybe a little over a year, and it took me more than a week. So I did have to dedicate an entire week where my focus was on organizing the business because just like you said, I had way more stuff by then to organize and have to go back and fix.

And so the fact that you were able to get in so early on, like it was just a day for you, which is amazing versus me more than a year in, it did take like a week.

But now even that week was totally worth it because now everything’s nice and organized and in place. And like you said, like, it really helps you whenever you are ready to bring out a team member.

Because like me, myself, I do use Trello with my VA and my OBM to kind of get us all organized. And that was not something I could have done without it. Having systems in place is just so important and key to any business owner, whether you’re newer, whether you’re later on in the business, but as soon as possible. So I’m really glad that you hit on that point.

Repurposing Systems for Other Parts of Your Business

Megan Ehrlich: Yeah. And like the nice thing with how your course is designed. You show so many different things that like the blogging, like, I don’t do a ton of blogging, but you have a workflow board for that. And like all these different things that people may need, it’s there.

But it’s like, even if you don’t feel like you need it, you can still use that framework and that process for something else that you do. And so it just teaches you how to think and organize things a little bit differently and just how to lay it out a little bit differently, but it could be for anything.

Lucy Reyes: Yeah.

Megan Ehrlich: It’s just like actually sticking to a system, but that’s the thing is you have to actually stick to it.

It forces you to think but just like the planning, like where you’re planning out your quarters and all of that. And it’s like, you taught, me how to run my business, but it’s like, oh wow. I need to be thinking about all of these things,

And then I was able to develop the system there. So it just prompted me to take a different action that I don’t know that I would’ve had I not seen the board for that.

Lucy Reyes: That’s super interesting cuz that’s like one of those hidden uh, benefits but definitely you’re able to repurpose the boards. You can use what’s already there to create your own using, like the blog post workflow, one, you can use that same framework, that same method for attracting clients or keeping track of another type of process that you do in the business.

And I think it’s really cool that you said that it even helps you realize that you’re missing out on doing some certain things because it, it does help you kind of get a bigger picture view of what it’s like to run a business.

I feel like when you get in the online space, you’re like, okay, I’m gonna do this one thing. And then this one thing becomes like a bunch of different hats that you didn’t even know you were going to be wearing.

Megan Ehrlich: Yeah. And like, that’s the whole thing too. It’s like some of the things that, um, you have boards for, it’s like, they weren’t, like I said, they weren’t aspects of my business that existed at the time, but it kind of opened my eyes to the possibilities. And just like the categories that you had, the list that were already set up, it’s like, oh, wow.

Like I should be thinking of these. I should be thinking of these different things. Or just like, oh, I should be batching these things. So yeah, it just opened my eyes that way cause I think I keep so many ideas. I’m a visionary, if you can’t tell I have a lot of big ideas.

Biggest Win

Lucy Reyes: That’s me.

Megan Ehrlich: They get lost, like they get lost if they’re not written down, So like okay, don’t think about it anymore. It’s written down now actually go do what you’re here to do.

Lucy Reyes: Yeah, I think that’s who Trello is meant to serve is like the people who are very visual people, because that is exactly how I am as well. So what would you say out of all of the things, what would you say has been your biggest win with Level Up Your Biz with Trello?

Megan Ehrlich: It’s so hard to say what my biggest win is other than just the fact that like, I save so much time not just wondering what do I need to work on today? It’s like, you didn’t give me a list of things I have to do, but you taught me how to make my own list and prioritize things in a way that actually made sense.

So it’s helped me stay focused because I have a tendency to just get distracted by all of these moving parts. And when you’re the only person in the business, like I am, there’s a lot of things you have to do. And so it’s just helped me actually focus on my true priorities and that that’s been, that’s been huge.

I would say I’ve saved at least five to 10 hours a week because I would waste so much time just on checking my email or responding to this social post So you’re just there. So the focus has been huge, which lets me do like everything else.

So like not wasting the time, but then actually being just more productive and focused on the things that I did delegate as my important tasks for the day.

Lucy Reyes: Wow. That’s so awesome. I am so, so happy that that’s how the course has helped you, because that is what I’m trying to do. It’s like, I’m not trying to tell you what your priorities are cuz I can’t do that. No one can do that.

You have to be the one to be able to say, okay, this is what I need to be focusing on. This is what needs to be priority. And the fact that you’ve been able to save so much time a week, That is huge. And I am so glad that you have been able to get that time back in your day, especially since you still have your in person practice that you have to run daily.

Productivity Advice If You Run Multiple Businesses

Lucy Reyes: As someone who is juggling multiple online different strategies, your services, your in person job, right? Cause you have an in person job, basically. Your coaching, your courses, your memberships, you’re kind of starting to shift focus a little bit too.

So what would you say would be your number one productivity tip that you recommend to our audience today?

Megan Ehrlich: You have to pick your priority. If you’re trying to do all of the different things at one time, you’re going to drop the ball somewhere.

Just knowing that you’re going to have to choose what you focus on, but like actually having a system to stay on top of all of that is going to be a huge game changer. So the sooner that you can create a system, obviously I’m very biased towards your program and Trello cause I use it all day, every day when I’m working.

It’s always open, but the sooner you can do that, the better everything is gonna be honestly.

Lucy Reyes: Yeah, no, I agree. Definitely have to choose your priorities and not to say that you can’t do like these different strategies online, but if you have the systems, it just makes it easier to be able to do the different things that you want to do. So that is such great advice.

Common Physical Mistakes for Work At Home Professionals

Lucy Reyes: So kind of shifting gears here a little bit, because I know that what you do is also something that is super beneficial for anyone that’s working from home. And like I said, I personally experience all these physical pains and things when I first transitioned.

So what are some common, like physical issues that you see amongst work from home professionals whether it’s just someone working from home, or like online business owners?

Megan Ehrlich: So people working from home. One of the number one things that I see is they don’t have a very great desk workspace setup. And it’s because like, you probably were not planning on setting up a home office like that.

And so some people do have a comfortable setup, but it may not be in a position that is favorable to your body and it may be pretty uncomfortable. So because of that, I see a lot of people with what you’re saying like the carpal tunnel pain, or just like the wrist pain from overuse or even just positioning of like your desk and your chair.

And a lot of it really comes from when you work at home, you can just get so in the grind of just like head down focusing. I talk to so many people who work from home that they will just spend hours without getting up, just working on something.

And then they go to stand up and they’re like, oh wow. Like my hips are really tight. My backs really tight. My neck is really tight. So I’ve been seeing just a lot of that.

Just people like overworking themselves because people tend to stay way longer. You’re responsible for your own desk setup. You don’t have like your boss or your HR that you’re complaining that your chair’s a problem. Like you have to figure it out yourself.

Proper Desk Setup to Avoid Pain

Lucy Reyes: Oh, you just brought it to my corporate days. How do we need to have our setup? So the high level things that people really get wrong, particularly for the neck.

Megan Ehrlich: If your computer is not the right distance away from you, people are either looking up or like they’re looking down and it’s causing strain. So really you want your computer screen to be an arms length away from you.

And you wanna make sure that where you’re looking at the top of your screen or wherever, like your eyes are like, that is where your computer screen is.

So if you were to put your hand over your eyes, where you’re gazing, that should be where your computer is and where you’re working from. So many people get that wrong and then it leads to just tightness or strain in the shoulders.

So I would say that’s like a really easy one that you can do because you can prop up your computer on like books.

You can get a different monitor stand, or you can just push your computer back a little bit further if it’s too close or if it’s too far away, like that’s a really easy adjustment.

My free resource, it is a full checklist based on research from just proper desk positioning, where it tells you all of the different things to adjust.

Lucy Reyes: Oh, so that would be very, very helpful. All of those different things were me. And so I know that so many people listening will probably be able to relate.

Episode Wrap-Up

So before we wrap up, is there anything else that you would like to share? Where can people find you online?

Megan Ehrlich: The best place to find me is going to be on Instagram @diligenceptaz, because I have my link bio there. So any new thing that I come out with, it’s going to be in my link in bio. And so that is the best place to find that free resource right now.

If you have any questions, kindly reach out. I’m very responsive in the DMs, so it’s a great place to see what’s going on.

Lucy Reyes: Awesome. So yes, everyone listening, definitely go check her out and make sure that you’re not getting any of this pain because as someone who has experienced it, it’s not going to be worth it.

So definitely grab her free resource. All right, Megan. Thank you so so much. It was so nice having you. Yeah.

Megan Ehrlich: Thank you. It was nice being here and having this conversation. It was fun.

Thank you so much for listening to the Cheerful Productive Chats Podcast with me Lucy Reyes. To view the complete show notes and all the links mentioned, visit cheerstoproductivity.com/19. And before you go make sure you subscribe wherever you’re listening so you know once the next productive chat is released. Talk soon and cheers to your productivity and success!

References