You're struggling to set time boundaries with clients. How can you avoid session overruns?

I struggled with this big time! We would often get to the deepest insights right at the end of our session and I would feel like I owed it to the client to keep going. Afterwards, I would have to re-arrange the rest of my schedule and be flustered or even be late to a following meeting. Then I learned a powerful and simple solution: 1. At the beginning, I say "it's 10am now and we will go until 11.55. I'll let you know when it's 11.45 so we can start to close the session." 2. I make sure I can see the clock. 3. We set a clear Outcome for the Session 4. At 11.45, I say, "we have 10 minutes, let's start moving towards what actions you want to commit to." 5. If anything else comes up, I say, "Let's hold that for next time". Easy.

Before you start Coaching, ensure they are understanding of what is needed on THEIR end prior to each start of a call. For me, that includes: 1) Celebrating a win(s) 2) Asking where their heart is at 3) Asking what support looks like for them Inquiring about these questions early on conveys a sense of calm, ease, and okayness.

For each client session , I set an agenda for myself that outlines the topics or goals for that meeting. This helps keep the discussion focused and time-bound. I usually always provide my clients homework so in the last 5-10 minutes I will discuss the homework and that helps to conclude the meeting.

If you are not fully 100% in control of your time, something or someone else is. Perform a time audit to see where your time is going. Use a pen and paper to write down your ideal day, from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed. Then use that guide as a blueprint to your ideal future.

As a physician, this always seems to be where the boundaries need to be set. “Oh by the way…” This can be respectfully addressed by listening to the concern and developing a game plan. “I hear your concern, we don’t have time to dive fully into that today, I’m ordering tests and let’s schedule a follow up to review the results and take a deeper dive into the issue.” As a coach the approach is similar: “it sounds like the new awareness you gained today is also raising awareness of new issues/levels of complexity in the issue we discussed today. That shows how much work you have accomplished today and gives us something to work on next session. Can we pick that up at our next scheduled session? Or do we need to schedule a sooner meeting?

Asking 'what did you find most valuable from today's call?' is a wonderful way to hear what resonated most with your client, instead of you guessing. Additionally, this can potentially provide a starting point for continuing the conversation on the next call.

Regularly ask clients for feedback on the structure and timing of sessions. This can help you adjust and better manage time. If they would like longer sessions or you are finding you need the extra half hour then you can adjust for that.

YOU aren't your clients results. Good or bad, it doesn't matter.....As long as you are supporting them in the best way you see fit, and you are trying your best, that's all that matters.