Study: 72% of workers would rather work for themselves

— -- Stuck at work? Daydreaming about starting your own business? You're not alone. More than two-thirds of all working adults want to resign from their jobs to start their own business, according to a soon-to-be-released study from Intuit, the maker of QuickBooks.

Well now may be the time to quit daydreaming and "Just Start" thanks to a new initiative by Intuit, the maker of QuickBooks.

Intuit's giving away software, launching a new small business website, and holding nationwide "Just Start" events to help would-be entrepreneurs get their businesses underway. If you're lucky, you may win $40,000 in cash and $10,000 in products and services in a "just start" business contest.

The company gave me an exclusive first look at their survey results, new website, contest and other Just Start events.

Intuit's survey results are closely in line with most previous surveys I've seen, showing more than two-thirds of all Americans want to start their own businesses: 72% in Intuit's results. The survey was conducted by the research firm Decipher of Fresno, Calif.

But Intuit's survey also uncovered just how deeply unsatisfied most Americans are with their current jobs: 67% think about quitting their jobs "regularly" or "constantly." Yikes.

The number one reason most people want to start their own businesses? To be more passionate about their worklife.

"One of the things that's exciting is how many people are contemplating starting a business, how much fire in the belly is out there," said Rick Jensen, Vice President, Intuit's Small Business Division. "When you ask why (people want their own businesses), they want to ignite the passion side of their work life. We always felt that was true, but that was validated in the survey."

My experience with small businesses over 20 years confirms that Americans' perception that they'd be more engaged with work if they had their own businesses is realistic. But their choice of entrepreneurial role models? More television than reality.