Most people think that the purpose is in beating the status quo. They believe that change will come by burning everything that was before. By creating something new from ashes.
The reality is totally different. The status quo is just a reference level. It offers a starting point. A solid base to build upon. It offers resources, ideas, inspiration, tools and a network full of people. If everything new were built from scratch we would only be reinventing the wheel over and over again.
True creativity means using what you have and combining that into a different form. Group elements under a new pattern. Improve something so much it changes its use. Using what is already available is going to save you time and money. It will allow you to build something better.
If you want to get higher, stand on the shoulders of giants.