Very true, though it would help a lot if the need to solve something is driven by an innate interest, curiosity or simple laziness to do repetitive work (so as to pursue more interesting things).
Monetary motivations don't really count. No doubt it helps, but it won't compel or make you strive to become a better programmer or make something truly great.
As the great teacher, Richard Feynman puts it: "if you can't explain something to a first year student, then you haven't really understood it"