Hi Clun,
When the hard time threshold is reached, the part/component must be removed from service mandatory.In case of soft time, you must remove the part from service when accessible. E.g. when a part in an engine has a softtime of 10000 hrs, you must not remove the engine from service to be disassembled and remove/overhaul the part when the engine reaches 10000 hrs and when there is no other reason to remove it; but when the engine is removed for any other reason, at e.g. 12000 hrs, you must remove the part with the soft time of 10000 hrs is exceeded.
I hope this answers your question.
Rgds avio