I enjoy working on my side projects more so than other hobbies, I have fun with them, it's not "work" in the sense as I think you mean. I'm not working towards "greatness" as much as I have ideas for projects that I think should exist and then want to bring them into existence.

I truly and deeply find my chosen projects interesting and stimulating in a way other things aren't.

I don't view work as a bad thing, with the caveat that it has to be productive and interesting work that goes towards something I think is impactful where the definition of impactful is personal.

I'm not saying your way is incorrect or bad or anything, just providing the perspective of someone who spends a lot of time working and how I feel about it.