I don't remember hearing this idea expressed before, but it's very powerful. I often hear people say they want to get away and be creative. Better to stick around and do something creative for others.

gapingvoid.com newsletter: Cartoon #184, 2010-Oct-4, by Hugh MacLeod

…as agreeable an idea as "Creativity for its own sake" is, it's not particularly sustainable, financially rewarding or emotionally satisfying over the long run. Human beings are hardwired to embrace "Creativity With Purpose"- i.e.create stuff that actually has real value to ourselves and other people. Creativity is tied into our evolution as a species and our basic survival instinct.