Coaching Tip: Flex Blocks

Originally Submitted on 11/15/2001.

Introduction

Sometimes assigning a certain AMOUNT of time to an activity allows more flexibility and makes it more likely that the activity will be done than when we assign a specific time of day when that activity MUST be done.

The Coaching Tip

When encouraging clients to add a desirable habit or routine, we often recommend that they pick a specific time to do it. For example, exercise before work, or do the filing at a certain time, etc. The drawback to this is that if something interrupts this routine, many people throw up their hands and say that they could not work out at the appointed time and therefore they cannot do the activity that day.

One coaching question in this situation could be "If something stopped you from eating breakfast, or having your coffee (or whatever example you choose) at a certain time, wouldn't you make sure you have it later?"

It becomes easier to stick to our chosen activities if we can learn to assign a certain AMOUNT of time to an activity, rather than a SPECIFIC time. By using what I have called "flex blocks" we can block out time for an activity, and if something else intrudes on the usually scheduled time, then that block can flex to another part of the day without being totally lost.

Sometimes it is easier to balance out our blocks of time over the course of a week, rather than every day.

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