I don’t have to remind you how important it is to set goals, particularly as we inch toward the fourth quarter and the beginning of a new year. Procrastination and a lack of goals or ambition can be large problems, but they’re not insurmountable.

I came across a different way to approach these issues the other day thanks to a Fast Company article that utilized insight from the late Zig Ziglar, a wonderful salesman who was no stranger to success. Instead of tackling procrastination as a broad, sweeping topic, Ziglar and the piece created the “goal allergic” diagnosis, a term for people who refrain from setting goals out of fear, intimidation, complacency or a number of other “conditions.”

Below are a few ways to cure your allergy just in time for your 2018 pursuits!

1. Determine Why Your Goals are Important

It sounds obvious, but you really need to identify what, exactly, you’re hoping to achieve from your set goals. Gold stars don’t count, so get down to the nitty gritty and go after what you want!

2. Create a Deadline

Goals without plans or deadlines are simply dreams. It’s great to “hope” something happens, but it’s significantly better to put that brain power and intention into action to make sure the something you want does, in fact, happen.

3. Identify Speed Bumps

No need to be pessimistic, but it always helps to foresee what could go wrong. That way, you’re ready with a plan of attack if all doesn’t go according to plan.

4. Enlist an Army

We can’t do it all. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength and confidence. Evaluate your activity-driven goals, where you may need help and who may be the right person(s) for the job. Then assemble your team accordingly.

5. Discover the Unknown Details

Your active goals should be broken down dozens of times over into mini, achievable goals. You’ll often discover during this process that there are plenty of unknown items built into your goals, or items you’re aware you’ll need to tackle, but may not know how. Fear not. This is where research and your teammates come in. Breaking goals into bite-sized chunks makes even the unknown very manageable.