Workaholics are typically associated with being obsessive-compulsive, overstressed and overworked. But a new study shows that workaholism isn’t so bad, after all.

Research produced in a paper by Rouen Business School in France says workaholism can actually be a good thing. The key is for the urge to work to be self-driven rather than demanded by a demanding boss.

The distinction being made here is that there is a difference between being a workaholic and being overworked. The former means you have a passion for your job and a different work-to-life balance than the rest of society. The latter means you’ve got a persistent boss who insists you work long days and log overtime.

A healthy workaholic is energized by the sense of accomplishment and the feeling of reward when goals are achieved. An unhealthy workaholic is motivated by the fact that he could get fired if he doesn’t do enough by the next morning.

As long as your motivations are positive, then there’s nothing wrong with being a workaholic.

-Dave Goldhov