Speaking of: Being Obsessed with Work

Saying a person "is obsessed with their job" is often bundled with the assumption that this person's priorities are out of line and this person really needs to get some perspective and remember life isn't all about making money. There's obviously a time and place where this is all true, particularly if money really is the only motivator. But there is a second category of person who is obsessed with their job because they genuinely feel they're building something worth sharing with the world, and that creator's energy is driving whatever they're doing. If someone falls into this latter category, I think we should be envious more than critical.

We rarely criticize musicians or filmmakers or writers for being "obsessed with their job." We instead romanticize the field and watch in awe as the mastermind chisels away at his or her next masterpiece. I don't see why this can't be extended to all professions. I think everyone can and should be an artist in whatever they choose to do, and if this leads to an obsession with work, then he or she is probably doing the job right. This doesn't mean the rest of that person's personal life has to suffer, and it's absolutely a problem if that becomes true. But here's to the workaholics, because if I'm gonna spend 40 years of my life doing something, I sure as hell better find something that makes me that obsessed.