Blogger and consultant Christopher Richards had a comment on my recent post on "workaholics", which was a follow-up to Seth Godin's original post on the subect a few days ago.
Here is a quick snippet of what Richards had to say on the matter:
"Seth Godin is right about a lot of things but not eulogizing those that obsessively tinker with their designs or websites in the guise of so-called passion. That sounds like workaholism to me.
There is a difference between drive and being driven. The latter is pathological and the former is life-enhancing. The reason sales people are driven by sales managers is that a salesperson can only be evaluated by activity and not results. You can't control results. I know this might sound heretical but many a seasoned sales manager knows that it is the activity, both working hard and smart is necessary but not sufficient. The mistake is to think that the salesperson has control over the sale. There are many external factors, the economy, other relationships the customer might have, timing. The list goes on. Sales is a numbers game at its base. And then there is luck. You can do much to improve your luck but you can't control it."
Seth Godin, who has authored a terrific new book on marketing that you have to read, replies to Christopher's thoughts:
"Actually, if I can be bold, you agree with me about both!
After all, here you are, for no money, posting a comment on this topic.
If you were a steelworker and it was after work hours and you had a
chance to do a little smelting in your spare time, it's unlikely you would.
You read this blog (and comment on it) because of your passion."
Only Seth could work in the word "smelting" into a blog post. 
I see where he's coming from. Last night, I was working on some blog posts and planning my next day of work while sitting on the couch with my laptop, watching The A Daily Show on Comedy Central. A little extra "smelting"? No way! I love what I do, and I have that passion for my craft that Seth is talking about. It was relaxing, it's always exciting, and challenging.
When I look back at the fact that I did some extra work at night (and usually do), it's not out of compulsion. It's from a passion. I enjoy it, I find it stimulating, and I think its part of the new work culture that Seth (and author Polly Labarre) are talking about.
Interestingly, I often did the same type of thing (working at night, planning my next day, etc.) when I was working for someone else as a part of a sales team at a regional office early in my professional business career. The difference was, I had to do it. I had to stay up late. Reports were due, deadlines had to be met. All that crap. Was I passionate about doing it? No. And, often, the results matched my level of enthusiasm.
That makes me think back prior to that during my career as a television sportscaster. It was my dream job...staying up late, watching sports, going to games, doing interviews. It was great.
Until, that is, I started to feel like I had to go to the game. I had to stay up late and edit a story. When I felt like I was forced to going to something fun, all of a sudden it wasn't fun. Then it turns into work. And that's when the passion drains out of you, the hours get longer, and the work turns into a task-master that demands more and more of your time.
Do you see the difference between spending time pursuing your passion, and not just logging in extra hours to "get ahead" in your job? I think that's what Seth and Polly are getting at.
Don't get what we're talking about?
Consider this: Most alcoholics don't realize they have an alcohol problem. From what I've seen of workaholics that I know (and I know some of the best!), they operate the same way: In the dark, sadly unaware of their worsening condition.
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