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Labor day.

It’s a holiday many businesses acknowledge and provide their workers with a day off, but few actually take the time to appreciate what it is we’re celebrating. In fact, I’d be curious to know how many people could actually answer that question.

Labor day in America is a nod to the committed laborers in the late 1800s, honoring both their hard work as well as the conclusive progression of our country. The day off is, of all things, the dedication given all the other days of the year.

On any long weekend, especially, I really like to use some of that extra time to read and reflect. Life moves fast, and we are all constantly rushing to the next thing, the next meeting, the next challenge or achievement. When you have a day off, especially a holiday like this where we are celebrating that hard-working lifestyle, I encourage you to take a step back and do some reflecting.

The best book for this is one of my personal favorites (as well as a must-read of just about every successful entrepreneur I know): Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

Here’s why I suggest reading this book:

1. It is based in the early 1900s, not long after Labor Day became an official holiday.
2. Napoleon Hill spent his life studying some of the greatest minds and most dedicated leaders of organized labor.
3. The book is an actionable guide toward understand how your mind and your intention ultimately defines whether labor for you is a daily bore, or a life-long quest of self discovery.
4. The book has continued to stand the test of time, and will always be a reminder of the underlying principles that can create true wealth and success.
5. It isn’t a challenging read :)

Set one new goal.

Look, if you are unhappy with what you are doing, reflect on this weekend and get to the root of what it is you would rather be doing instead.

Use this book as a guide for getting there. Sure, it’s the end of summer, go grab some friends, barbecue, etc.

But make today a day of reflection, while honoring the hard work that built this country.

This article originally appeared on Inc. Magazine.

Thanks for reading :)

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