When negotiating agreements in business or trying to resolve disputes you will frequently reach a point in the negotiation where you hit a wall. Progress grinds to a halt, neither side is willing to budge, and frustration mounts. You may doubt whether you will ever reach an agreement. What can you do to break the deadlock?

In many negotiations, most progress occurs in the final stages. Recognize that an impasse is common and does not mean that an agreement is beyond reach. Accept it as a normal part of negotiation that can and will be overcome. By applying the techniques discussed below, you can increase your chances of overcoming an impasse and reaching a mutually acceptable agreement.

- Focus on your interests, and help your counterpart focus on his. It is natural to lose sight of what is important and get distracted by minor issues in the heat of a negotiation. Refocusing on your interests and priorities can help you get the negotiation back on track.

- Look for new and creative ways to add value. Explore options that have been overlooked. As a negotiation proceeds you learn new information and gain new insights which may suggest other possible solutions that had not been apparent earlier.