Breaking up sets

I'm to the point on some of the longer holds where the jumps because too much (e.g. week 5 to week 6 on the ABH) so my question is which is better: 

 

1) Complete the total volume, even if I have to break the sets into smaller sets - 

     example: 36s is what's programmed, work is performed to failure (24 seconds) and then the remaining 

     12s are completed after 20-30 seconds of rest

 

or 

 

2) Modify the programming to something that can be done completely, but perfectly

     example: instead of 4x36s, do 4x28s and work my way up to 4x36s over several cycles

 

 

Instead of 12 secs, add 6 secs (eg. 4x24s to 4x30s). If 6 secs still too hard then 3 secs

Thanks, that's what I've been doing. Good to know I'm on the right track.

 

What about situations where I can complete at least one set? On FL/PE1 week 10 I'm hitting failure on my third and fourth sets (for example, today looked like 60/60/45+15/40+20) - should I keep doing it that way?

In that situation, for next week, I would still advance to W11 (5x60s) and still try for mastery.  If you can't pass W11, then after deload week (W12), restart mini cycle

In your case I'd go for mastery, as even if you don't get it it's worth the effort. Often the fresh perspective gained when doing a fifth set makes the effort of doing four become more doable, and when you can do four you're closer to doing five .