Striving to be your best self, especially in our demanding lives, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed out, thinking we need to do it all and have all the good habits to succeed. Especially as women.

But here’s a secret: you don’t need to do it all. In fact, if you try to be perfect or maintain all good habits at once, you’re less likely to create the change you want and more likely to feel overwhelmed and like a failure.

It’s a balance. Prioritize what matters more and be okay with letting go of what matters less. Successful and balanced people focus on their values, priorities, and daily habits that help them feel and be their best selves. This will look different for different people, and doesn’t mean trying to improve every aspect of themselves at once or holding to unrealistic expectations.

I am continually striving to be my best self and have many healthy habits. I sleep well, don’t drink alcohol, meditate and walk daily, and maintain strong work and personal life boundaries. On the flip side, I don’t eat as well as I should and probably have too much pizza and chips. I’ve been known to spend way too much time perfecting a presentation, leave the house messy, or cut things too close to a deadline. But I do this far less over time and with much less stress.

If my unhealthier habits become a real problem, like needing to eat healthier, I’ll address it then.

It’s okay to have some bad habits. The key is to prioritize and focus on what habits will be most helpful for you and let go of the need to try to be perfect or do it all. You’ll feel less like you’re failing, take some of the pressure off, and enjoy yourself more.

What “bad habit” can you accept to take the pressure off yourself?

Stacey Olson, CPPC is a speaker, leadership coach, and author of Your Balanced and Bold Life: Work Less, Live More, and Be Your Best. She helps busy professionals create more balance, stress less, and be their best both at work and at home—even with the constant demands and messy everyday life. Learn more and get the book here.