Hi SeaChange
I understand about government - all that bureacracy and BS can certainly get you down!! I had a lucky escape from a semi-govt organisation myself and life just keeps getting better!!
As well as springwise, you can also look at the following sites to spark ideas - all are good for different reasons.
Explore eco-friendly ideas at
Worldchanging, test drive the day’s hottest stories at
Technorati and focus on free insights from the
Shaping Tomorrow newsletters. A great trends resource is
TrendWatching - I can get lost there for hours if I'm not careful!!
Also, if you'd like to sign-up on my website, I offer a free report which covers over 20 ways to find great ideas - for promotions and businesses.
I always advise my clients that it's important to find your 'big idea' first and then to build a business model around it that will work for you in many ways (ie cashflow, time, skills etc). Remember you can always outsource some of the skills you need - don't make the mistake of thinking you need to be everything to everyone!!
Feel free to contact me if you'd like some coaching - I have done quite a bit of work helping people transition from job to their own business and I have experienced the transition myself, so have a few tips to share!!
cheers
Lisa
www.ReviveCoaching.com.au