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Big Little Breakthroughs: How Small, Everyday Innovations Drive Oversized Results

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A surprisingly simple approach to help everyday people become everyday innovators.

The pressure to generate big ideas can feel overwhelming. We know that bold innovations are critical in these disruptive and competitive times, but when it comes to breakthrough thinking, we often freeze up.

Instead of shooting for a $10-billion payday or a Nobel Prize, the most prolific innovators focus on Big Little Breakthroughs —small creative acts that unlock massive rewards over time. By cultivating daily micro-innovations, individuals and organizations are better equipped to tackle tough challenges and seize transformational opportunities.

How did a convicted drug dealer launch and scale a massively successful fitness company? What core mindset drove LEGO to become the largest toy company in the world? How did a Pakistani couple challenge the global athletic shoe industry? What simple habits led Lady Gaga, Banksy, and Lin-Manuel Miranda to their remarkable success?

Big Little Breakthroughs isn’t just for propeller-head inventors, fancy-pants CEOs, or hoodie-donning tech billionaires. Rather, it’s a surpassingly simple system to help everyday people become everyday innovators.

320 pages, Hardcover

Published April 20, 2021

112 people are currently reading
793 people want to read

About the author

Josh Linkner

16 books38 followers
To Josh Linkner, creativity and innovation are the lifeblood of all human progress, and as such, he's spent his career harnessing the spirit of creative disruption. His journey has been non-traditional at every step: he's been a professional jazz guitarist, 4-time tech entrepreneur, hyper-growth CEO, New York Times bestselling author, venture capitalist, and urban reinventor. Today, Linkner leads Detroit Venture Partners, helping to rebuild his hometown of Detroit, Michigan, by backing passionate entrepreneurs who can make an impact through their own innovative ideas. He is also a thought leader and top-rated keynote speaker on innovation, creativity, and reinvention. Linkner has written two books- Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity and The Road to Reinvention: How to Drive Disruption and Accelerate Transformation. He's on a mission to drive creativity, innovation, and reinvention. And yes, he still plays a mean jazz guitar. For more information, visit JoshLinkner.com.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
1 review
March 11, 2021
Reading this book actually reminded me about what creativity is in a business sense. And, it showed me many ways to solve a variety of problems. I expect I'll be using this book at least as much as a reference guide as a one-off, because I'll want to go back and read it and see how that person did that task again, so I can see how I may apply it to myself.
1 review
March 8, 2021
Josh's books have always been an enjoyable read and a good way to enhance creativity and realize dreams. I am looking forward to reading Big Little Breakthroughs and learning how to create systems for implementing my visions!
Profile Image for Hayley.
211 reviews
June 14, 2021
I found myself smiling to myself so much while reading this book. Josh discusses how we so often "severely underestimate our own creativity" and how we are all just wrong. We just aren't using it. I enjoyed the statistical information Josh used and how often his thoughts and opinions were turned more into fact by all this information and research. The human brain is a vastly studied organ but there is still so much unknown about things that happen to the brain during illness and injury and this in turn leaves so many questions about the ability of the human brain is endless. Josh's examples are sufficiently accurate. Hidden potential! How some people may seem to be born with creative genius while other's not is interesting in itself. And Josh unlocks some of the ways we can unlock this hidden potential. So many of the questions I have swimming in my head daily are the questions that Josh covers. Why one person chooses bland choices that turn into big bucks, then the next guy falls prey to an unlawful life. Ups and downs - good choices and almost an obsession with becoming successful might just be what we need to unlock those strengths to achieve the highest level of success in our life. I'm going back and listening to the audio version now after reading it myself, so if you are looking to shake things up and realize that it doesn't need to be a HUGE step but instead its the small steps and small choices that will continue to move you forward!
Go grab a copy - a pen and paper to take notes and get started on unlocking your BIG little breakthroughs. I received an early ebook from Simon and Schuster and these are my own thoughts and opinions.
Profile Image for Gwen.
1,055 reviews44 followers
August 20, 2021
Really loved the concepts, hated the examples

Big Little Breakthroughs can be summed up in Linkner's "Eight Obsessions of Everyday Innovators" (pg 103):

(1) Fall in love with the problem. Understand the problem and commit to solving it in a flexible manner, rather than fixating on a particular way to solve it.
(2) Start before you're ready. Just jump in and course-correct as you go! Don't wait for permission.
(3) Open a test kitchen. Experiment experiment experiment.
(4) Break it to fix it. Deconstruct, examine, and rebuild.
(5) Reach for weird. Take a different approach than you'd expect, even if it's entirely off the wall.
(6) Use every drop of toothpaste. Do everything you can with the (limited) resources you have. Be resourceful!
(7) Don't forget the dinner mint. This is how you differentiate your solution. Just that little touch of something extra that makes you stand out.
(8) Fall seven times, stand eight. It's probably not going to be perfect the first time, so just keep trying. You'll learn more each time.

This has been an amazing framework as I jump back into a creative hobby: sewing clothes. I am a beginner with the sole goal of making shirts that fit. I have 100% fallen in love with the problem [obsession #1] and am open to trying any number of things (patterns, adjustments, fabric type) to find the optimal approach.

And while I've read some books and blog posts (and have many YouTube channels saved), I wouldn't say that I'm "ready" to start with an abundance of knowledge [obsession #2]. I just gathered my materials (and my computer for the many "help, what do I do now?!" moments) and started.

My "test kitchen" is a corner of my house where I'm constantly experimenting (and mostly ripping out seams from trials that didn't quite work...) [obsession #3]. I've deconstructed some old shirts that generally fit in an attempt to understand WHY certain shirts work better than others for me [obsession #4].

My "reach for weird" is buying XXL men's buttondowns from thrift stores to cut down to size [obsession #5]. I'm definitely not at the "let's make buttonholes and sew a placket" level of sewing! I've done some research, and I can't seem to find another tutorial online where someone has done this. So far, it's working out well for me! I get affordable fabric in proper shirt material with finishing touches already done. And whatever shirt doesn't work out as I'm refining my pattern gets ripped apart and turned into bias tape--the "every drop of toothpaste" concept [obsession #6]. And that bias tape can be used to finish seams and provide a little pop of color/enjoyment [obsession #7].

Finally, I have definitely experienced setbacks...but learn from what happened and refine my process [obsession #8]. Do I need to look more at the finished garment size, rather than body measurements, to determine what size to make? Do I need to move some darts? Is the shirt too long? Every iteration, I learn something as an improvement for next time--and I'm enjoying myself as I train my brain to be more creative.

I appreciated how Linkner encourages creativity as a learned skill, not an innate one. He emphasizes constant practice of creativity that will compound and grow your abilities. For "starting before you're ready," he notes that this is not the same as launching before you're ready (pg 131). I also liked how he encourages people to "try it before you defeat it" (pg 143)--something I am often guilty of doing.

Where Linkner lost me: his examples within each principle. With few exceptions, his examples highlight white men (or white women with a "white savior" mentality). The example of Dustin Garis (aka, Proctor & Gamble's former "Chief Troublemaker") especially, felt tone-deaf with its glorification of "the many letters of admonishment that he's collected from the HR department over the years" (pg 181). How many people can get away with multiple letters from HR without being fired? I wish that Linkner or his editor would have treated this section with greater understanding of privilege, as well as including more examples of people from different backgrounds with different understandings of risk.

Overall, I'm glad I read this. I really enjoyed learning ways to think about creativity and how to break down the process of being creative and innovative. Now the trick is to apply what I'm doing in an aspect of my personal life to my professional life in an industry that generally looks askance on innovation. (We do love a good established, documented process.) Based on what Linkner shared, I am confident that there are ways to innovate, even very small ones, that will make a difference.
1 review
April 17, 2021
Big Little Breakthroughs: How Small, Everyday Innovations Drive Oversized Results


Are you a problem solver? Yes...No...Maybe. After reading, Big Little Breakthroughs, I think I got two steps closer to problem solving and my creative muscle got stronger to.

What I liked about this book, it showed me how I can hone my problem solving and creative muscles. It has tools, tips and a quiz and wonderful interviews with people who seen a problem and made little adjustments and more little adjustments and as Emeril Lagasse would say, BAM! Some breakthroughs happened.

I enjoyed the interviews of one person who designed a trash container that held cigarette butts, and now people use his product all over the world. I am grateful for this creative man and I never even met him. Anyone who tackles global pollution in my book is a caretaker of the planet, and I wish there were more of them. Another story talks about a motorcycle mechanic designing an electric motorcycle with zero emissions in his garage in less than two years and guess what? He did it, he built it, and he has back orders for people who want to buy his electric motorcycle.

Some of the exercises in this book, have funny names like "Battle Cry" and "Guzzle Inputs". And questions like, "if I could wave my magic wand to make this better, what would the end result look like?"

Some of the Cons for this book was not enough pictures. I really had to search for at least one Con to be objective in my book review, so I came to the conclusion, it's weakest link is "hardly any pictures." (my try at comedy)

This is a must-read for any creative seekers who would like a shot of motivation, and tools to work with.

Some quotes I liked from the author, "As we conclude our time together, I wish you success and fulfillment as you sail off into the horizon to explore your own creative abilities."

"It's time to take your shot. It's time to see just how far you'll go."

Big Little Breakthroughs publication date is April 20, 2021 and there is also an audio format that you can listen to and is narrated by the author. I am grateful to the author who gave us an advanced copy to read. Thank you.

https://joshlinkner.com/big-little-br...
Profile Image for Kristjan Kukk.
7 reviews4 followers
dh
April 1, 2025
Big Little Breakthroughs: How Small, Everyday Innovations Drive Oversized Results by Josh Linkner emphasizes the power of small, consistent creative acts to achieve significant outcomes over time. The book challenges the notion that innovation is reserved for extraordinary individuals, advocating instead for everyday creativity accessible to all.
Key Concepts:
Big Little Breakthroughs:
Small creative acts can lead to massive rewards over time. These incremental innovations often surpass the impact of rare "lightbulb moments" and are achievable by anyone, not just experts or tech geniuses.
Cultivating Daily Micro-Innovations:
Linkner argues that cultivating small, daily innovations helps individuals and organizations tackle challenges and seize opportunities effectively. Creativity can be learned and enhanced, expanding one's capacity for innovation
The Eight Obsessions of Everyday Innovators:
Linkner outlines eight mindsets to foster creativity:
Open a "Test Kitchen" mindset.
Break things to fix them.
Start solving problems before you're ready.
Fall in love with the problem.
Embrace failure (fall seven times, stand eight).
Add unexpected touches ("Dinner Mint").
Use resources creatively ("Scrappy Mindset").
Reach for unconventional ideas ("Weird")
Stories of Success:
The book includes real-life examples of small innovations leading to transformative results, such as Apeel Sciences' natural spray for produce preservation and LEGO's reinvention as a global toy leader.
Conclusion:
Linkner provides a practical framework for unlocking creative potential through small, daily actions. By embracing experimentation, learning from failure, and focusing on incremental progress, individuals can drive meaningful change and achieve oversized results over time.
Profile Image for Kevin Eikenberry.
Author 25 books30 followers
August 13, 2021
When we think about innovation, we often think of the big home-run idea – the kind books are written about and dreams are made of. We get starry-eyed at the prospect – and then discouraged that we aren’t creative enough and could never be that innovative. But what if we thought about innovation differently? What if we aimed not for the stars, at least not with one big idea, but rather focused on creating massive success with everyday innovation?

That is the premise of Josh Linkner’s new book Big Little Breakthroughs: How Small, Everyday Innovations Drive Oversized Results. Josh suggests that everyone can be innovative. In fact, it is through everyday innovation that we will create great results. Josh doesn’t come at this idea as an academic or a purely philosophical perspective. Rather, he is the founder and/or CEO of five tech companies that have sold for more than $200 million. This proves his idea is sound.

Read more: https://blog.kevineikenberry.com/pers...
Profile Image for Nick.
Author 21 books141 followers
May 2, 2021
The premise of Linkner's book is that more innovations and progress is created by incremental changes and a set of attitudes toward work that focus on small improvements, resilience, and a scrappy attitude toward making use of what you have, breaking the rules when necessary, and going ahead when you see a bit of road in front of you rather than waiting for permission. Through entertaining stories and examples of innovators and companies on the cutting edge, Linkner brings the mysteries of the creative process (that creates winners like the Lego movies) within reach. Anyone in a field or business sector where innovation is important (AKA everyone) needs to master the 8 principles in this book and get to work.
1 review
April 20, 2021
This book is one of the best books on creativity and innovation I have ever read. Josh is a great writer that keeps you entertained the entire time. From rappers to drug dealers, to legos and Lady Gaga. He is able to dig in to show how creativity has boosted these folks to success.
Josh recognizes that everyone has creativity locked deep down inside us and in this book he describes how to bring it all out!
From corporate executives to ex-cons, this book can help anyone who is looking for a spark of creativity in their life.
Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.
Profile Image for Emily Sorensen.
3 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2021
I received an advanced copy and I have loved it. Seriously, such a good book. You know when you feel like you’ve reached the ceiling and you aren’t sure what to do to move past it? Or those times you think creativity is for everyone else? Yeah, this book is just the thing to help you reframe your own narrative. I found my self nodding song realizing I can do this as I contemplate my own projects. Definitely worth picking up a copy. 👍🏻👍🏻
2 reviews
January 1, 2022
This book has brilliantly explained the points to hack the creative mind and at the same time quotes stories which have been totally unknown.

The main idea that persistence is the key to achieve anything you want at the same time ensuring the creativity quotient is constantly being worked upon is way to success.
I especially liked the success stories of various people from the domain of art, sports, business and many more.

A good read (y)
40 reviews
October 6, 2022
I saw Linker speak and thought he was great, so I bought his book. I'm glad I did, because the book provides additional illumination of the points in his talks. Linker writes well and injects some humor into what could otherwise be a somewhat droll recounting of innovative success stories. This book is a much about the how-to as why, and so it is worth a read for anyone who has an entrepreneurial spirit.
1 review
March 19, 2021
While many businesses are struggling, Josh Linkner's book, Big Little Breakthroughs is out there highlighting the small, everyday innovations of every day people. Josh leaves nothing on the table in Big Little Breakthroughs, his interviews and examples are so relatable. I had such a personal connection with this book, I even found myself researching and ordering many of the featured products.
4 reviews
April 3, 2022
Entender la creatividad

Una excelente lectura que además de animarnos a emprender, nos ayuda a entender y conocer como la creatividad no es un don milagroso de unos pocos, sino más bien el resultado de un ejercicio en el que aplicando tácticas y estrategias, se obtienen resultados milagrosos
Profile Image for Karl Howard.
50 reviews
September 12, 2023
Useful book with some good hints and tips for people looking to try and become more innovative in their approach to work or in starting a business. However, I found that in places the points became a little labored and the whole book would have benefitted from being slightly more concise in several chapters.
Profile Image for Debby.
340 reviews23 followers
December 10, 2025
Inspiring, practical, and surprisingly empowering! This book shows how small, consistent creative actions can spark huge results. The real-world stories from global brands to everyday people make the concepts easy to understand and incredibly motivating. A must-read for anyone who wants to innovate without the pressure of “big genius” ideas.
Author 12 books4 followers
April 15, 2021
Fantastic book! Many excellent examples of entrpreneurs who saw a problem and didn't stop until they had solved it. This is coupled by Linkner's methods he shares so that you too can tackle these problems that you see in the world.
Profile Image for Melody.
Author 1 book17 followers
February 7, 2022
I "had" to read this for a work book club, but every chapter left me more inspired and ready to tackle big problems with small but impactful innovations. If you're looking beyond your comfort zone and want to kickstart your creativity, this is the place to start.
Profile Image for Ashley Anderson.
60 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2025
I am incorporating creativity and an innovate mindset in all my work. This book opened my eyes to a new world. Linkner provided great examples, case studies and his own personal experience to show the impact of innovation in our everyday lives.
7 reviews
April 13, 2021
So timely. Literally exactly what I needed to read. Encouraging and butt kicking!
Profile Image for Loren Sanders.
382 reviews2 followers
July 12, 2021
Interesting way to think about how we innovate and how to do it better and intentionally. I can’t wait to put some of this into practice.
17 reviews
December 11, 2021
Hands down one of the best reads on creativity. I love how in part two we walk through the 7 steps.
Profile Image for Manoj.
2 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2022
A thoroughly enjoyable page-turner with stories to say from shoes to drone racing.
Profile Image for Kisor.
61 reviews2 followers
January 25, 2022
Everything can be improved even the DMV franchises. Look for small improvements, delight users/over-deliver/surprise users.
Profile Image for Deb Hill.
259 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2022
Very inspiring and motivational, yet I wish that it included a God-fearing perspective.
79 reviews13 followers
May 19, 2022
Good examples and great lessons. But I don't see one to one with the way the author maps the story to the conclusion
146 reviews1 follower
August 17, 2022
Interesting stories about innovations. Motivating quizzes and worksheets to improve your creativity.
Profile Image for Chris Cox.
36 reviews
August 22, 2025
I listened to the audiobook (Audible) version of this.

Josh Linkner compiled an impressive list of innovators and their stories to write this book. I was very happy I listened to this.

28 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2021
I just started, finished chapter 1. I am enjoying it so far, but I must admit it is a little too technical for me. Josh writes in a style where it isn't too difficult to understand, but for me it is a bit above my level of knowledge. But I am excited to learn more about creativity, and see what I can discover in myself.

I received an advanced copy of the book, which did not influence my review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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