I've been told leaders are readers. It doesn't matter what you read. It just matters that you read. I've also never met a successful person that didn't appreciate reading. Successful people seek knowledge from books and as a result, I've made it a personal goal to read for the last couple of years. My goal in 2012 was to read one book per month. Below are the books I read to achieve that goal. Some were easy reads, some took weeks. Some books were for fun while others served a personal growth purpose.

1. If It Were Easy, They'd Call the Whole Damn Thing a Honeymoon - Jenna McCarthy
2. Extreme Focus - Pat Williams
3. Girls in White Dresses - Jennifer Close
4. The Long Run - Matt Long (Great inspirational read!)
5. 50 Shades of Grey - E. L. James (I had to see what all of the hype was about.)
6. 30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Know by the Time She's 30 - Editors at Glamour
7. 50 Shades Darker - E.L. James (I had to see what happened since the 1st book left you hanging!)
8. Leadership 101 - John Maxwell
9. Generation X - Jen Lancaster (She's my favorite laugh out loud author. Great read when you just want to be entertained. Start with her first book Bitter is the New Black.)
10. It's Not About the Pom-Poms - Laura Vikmanis (The former dance team captain in me couldn't resist.)
11. Eat and Run - Scott Jurek (Great read if you need some running motivation.)
12. The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin
13. Knowing Your Value: Women, Money and Getting What You're Worth - Mika Brezezinski

I am attempting to finish one more book. White Girl Problems by Babe Walter. I fully intended on reading another business book, but the selection at Target was limited. Guess I'll end the year on a funny note. I can always start 2013 with a more sophisticated read.

End of the Year

As the end of the year approaches I can't stop thinking about what my goals should be for 2013. I rush to think about what to accomplish next and I'm tempted to overlook what I accomplished this year. Our lives encourage us to move so quickly and to cross things off our lists so we can move onto the next.

This December, I encourage you to reflect on your 2012. Make note of all you accomplished in the year. You might be amazed at all you did or you might feel disappointed about what you did not do. Either way, you'll be better prepared to set your goals for 2013. The great thing about a new year is that you get a fresh start. Celebrate your achievements, learn from your mistakes and go into the new year ready to make it your best year yet.

New Year Achievement Mix

I've been teaching cycling classes in Los Angeles for over two years. I love being able to help people reach their fitness goals. One of my favorite classes is my New Year's goals setting class. Since fitness related resolutions/goals tend to be among the most popular this time of year, I wanted to share my achievement playlist. I hope this mix motivates you to do big things in 2012!

Beautiful Day - U2
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
Its My Life (Techno Remix) - Bon Jovi
Winner ft. Justin Timberlake & T.I - Jamie Foxx
Dreaming (Libra Mix) - BT
Right Now - Van Halen
We're Gonna Win - Bryan Adams
Stronger - Kanye West
Gold - Antoine Clamaran
Dream On - Aerosmith
Heart Of A Champion - Nelly
I Made It - Kevin Rudolf ft. Birdman, Jay Sean, Lil Wayne
Victorious - DJ Tiësto
You Gotta Be - Des'ree
Don't Stop - Fleetwood Mac