I agree it is profound. I think the key is whether the workload is meaningful or purposeful; motivation being a proxy for how meaningful the work is. That meani

I agree it is profound. I think the key is whether the workload is meaningful or purposeful; motivation being a proxy for how meaningful the work is. That meaning is both intrinsic (something someone finds personally meaningful) and extrinsic (something that contributes meaningfully to a greater whole). You can still kill yourself on onerous yet meaningful work, but you'll also die fufilled and self-actualized.