What do you think?
Rate this book
Doing What Needs to be Done
An accident took him down… but not out.
In 2001, then-27-year-old Chad Hymas had everything – a beautiful wife, two sons, two thriving businesses and parents and brothers who loved and supported him in everything he did. It seemed he couldn’t fail. Everything he touched turned to gold.
And then a rushed decision to ignore safety in favor of getting home to see his baby boy take his first steps changed everything forever. A few minutes of caution could’ve kept his golden life on track, and he would live to regret his decision – until he changed his mind about what his life was for.
Ultimately, Chad Hymas spent many weeks in the hospital and in physical therapy. The doctors determined that psychological therapy wasn’t needed, but Chad had another kind of help. He met Art Berg, another quadriplegic, who introduced himself without a word – but with plenty of action. And Chad was paying attention. That was the day he began to change his mind about his life’s purpose.
With desperation, dedication and determination, and the help and love of his family and friends, Chad set out to reinvent himself, take risks, and do things he never thought he could or would do, even when his body was whole and fully functional.
He had plenty of “black” periods to work through, to let go of his old ideas about who he was supposed to be, and the anger and frustration of not being able to be that. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but it has transformed him into a man unlike anything he ever thought he could or would be.
He’s dedicated his life to service for others who have lost functionality, or perhaps never had it. He became a living example of what is possible, if one is willing to invent different ways to do what has to be done. In order to teach others, he had to invent those new and different ways of doing things for himself. He had to walk the talk.
Now… He opens minds, eyes, hearts and doors for people just like himself. He helps people who have all their faculties to become more than they think they can be. He inspires children and adults alike, those with challenges and those without. He helps companies to work better by coming together, and teaches families and caretakers new ways to help those they care for.
In the ten years since his accident, Chad travels the world, speaking to companies, kids in schools at all grade levels, families and individuals whose lives are being remolded by their own events. He has become the living demonstration of what is possible, if we find different ways of doing what must be done.
His life changed forever – and now, he changes lives.
In 2001, then-27-year-old Chad Hymas had everything – a beautiful wife, two sons, two thriving businesses and parents and brothers who loved and supported him in everything he did. It seemed he couldn’t fail. Everything he touched turned to gold.
And then a rushed decision to ignore safety in favor of getting home to see his baby boy take his first steps changed everything forever. A few minutes of caution could’ve kept his golden life on track, and he would live to regret his decision – until he changed his mind about what his life was for.
Ultimately, Chad Hymas spent many weeks in the hospital and in physical therapy. The doctors determined that psychological therapy wasn’t needed, but Chad had another kind of help. He met Art Berg, another quadriplegic, who introduced himself without a word – but with plenty of action. And Chad was paying attention. That was the day he began to change his mind about his life’s purpose.
With desperation, dedication and determination, and the help and love of his family and friends, Chad set out to reinvent himself, take risks, and do things he never thought he could or would do, even when his body was whole and fully functional.
He had plenty of “black” periods to work through, to let go of his old ideas about who he was supposed to be, and the anger and frustration of not being able to be that. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but it has transformed him into a man unlike anything he ever thought he could or would be.
He’s dedicated his life to service for others who have lost functionality, or perhaps never had it. He became a living example of what is possible, if one is willing to invent different ways to do what has to be done. In order to teach others, he had to invent those new and different ways of doing things for himself. He had to walk the talk.
Now… He opens minds, eyes, hearts and doors for people just like himself. He helps people who have all their faculties to become more than they think they can be. He inspires children and adults alike, those with challenges and those without. He helps companies to work better by coming together, and teaches families and caretakers new ways to help those they care for.
In the ten years since his accident, Chad travels the world, speaking to companies, kids in schools at all grade levels, families and individuals whose lives are being remolded by their own events. He has become the living demonstration of what is possible, if we find different ways of doing what must be done.
His life changed forever – and now, he changes lives.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
55 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 11, 2017
If you are ever feeling that you can’t do something please read this book. Chad overcame all obstacles in his life and made the obstacles that came before him into something that could be for his good and make his life better than it was before. I was inspired and uplifted each and every time I picked up this book. Some of the quotes at the beginning of the chapters give you an idea about what kind of inspiration is found in this book. Here are a few. Right before chapter five it says, “ Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done, if we are always doing.” - Thomas Jefferson. Before chapter eight it says, “Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.” - Dale Carnegie. And chapter eleven, “A man is but the product of his thoughts... what he thinks, he becomes.” - Mohandas Ghandi. Chapter fourteen, “ Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we often might win, by fearing to attempt.” - William Shakespeare. I would recommend this inspirational book to everyone. We might not have to go through the hard trials Chad did but his story can be a parable of how we can get through hard things in ways that will bless our lives and others. I am thankful Chad shared his story. It truly inspired me.
November 6, 2022
This was a great book!
I'd recommend it to pretty much anyone. It was an easy, quick read, but I found myself crying, laughing, and thinking about the lessons he shares.
I love how open Chad Hymas is in this book about his experiences, about the accident that left him quadriplegic-his thoughts, feelings, and what he has gone through, including the good and bad, the positive and negative, day-to-day life, his family, and especially about the lessons he has learned and the ways he has grown and changed. I loved the lessons he shared and the way he encourages the reader to grow and change as well. I really loved his theme about being able to do anything, as long as you're willing to do it differently if you have to.
At times, it was a little confusing because there was a lot of jumping back and forth chronologically in the book, so I couldn't always figure out what events came before or after other events, but other than that, I really enjoyed it and had a hard time putting it down. I really loved the way he really invites the reader into his life to feel what he feels and to understand what he has experienced.
I'd recommend it to pretty much anyone. It was an easy, quick read, but I found myself crying, laughing, and thinking about the lessons he shares.
I love how open Chad Hymas is in this book about his experiences, about the accident that left him quadriplegic-his thoughts, feelings, and what he has gone through, including the good and bad, the positive and negative, day-to-day life, his family, and especially about the lessons he has learned and the ways he has grown and changed. I loved the lessons he shared and the way he encourages the reader to grow and change as well. I really loved his theme about being able to do anything, as long as you're willing to do it differently if you have to.
At times, it was a little confusing because there was a lot of jumping back and forth chronologically in the book, so I couldn't always figure out what events came before or after other events, but other than that, I really enjoyed it and had a hard time putting it down. I really loved the way he really invites the reader into his life to feel what he feels and to understand what he has experienced.
May 6, 2022
I listened to him speak and had to read his book. Both were very inspiring! Highly recommend reading!
**His life has changed a bit since he wrote his book. There were several experiences he shared when he spoke that happened after he finished the book.
“He believes with all his heart that struggles and challenges lead us to knowledge and growth - if we let them.”
Art Berg, said, "I am not in my current successful
circumstances by any one big grand event. It's the little things I've chosen to do every single day, that bring about the greatest results in my life.”
“To regret the experience is to regret the lesson
- because the lesson is inextricably contained in the experience. Too often when changes occur and our circumstances are not as we planned, we tend
to focus on what we lost, what we've missed, what's gone wrong, who is to blame, and "why me.' We are not accepting the reality of our changed circumstance or the opportunity those changed
circumstances present. We ignore the gift of change and delay our progress.”
**His life has changed a bit since he wrote his book. There were several experiences he shared when he spoke that happened after he finished the book.
“He believes with all his heart that struggles and challenges lead us to knowledge and growth - if we let them.”
Art Berg, said, "I am not in my current successful
circumstances by any one big grand event. It's the little things I've chosen to do every single day, that bring about the greatest results in my life.”
“To regret the experience is to regret the lesson
- because the lesson is inextricably contained in the experience. Too often when changes occur and our circumstances are not as we planned, we tend
to focus on what we lost, what we've missed, what's gone wrong, who is to blame, and "why me.' We are not accepting the reality of our changed circumstance or the opportunity those changed
circumstances present. We ignore the gift of change and delay our progress.”
October 4, 2018
DOne!
It is really amazing how Chad and his family deliver a message which I believe everyone can relate to.. Most of us are paralysed by our own lack of doing. In this book Chad conspires to inspire by letting us all into his world. I am truly humbled that he would even take the time to write this book to help us all DO what we need to. Touching at times, sad in other moments. However, this book was the 1 ton bail of hay I needed.
It is really amazing how Chad and his family deliver a message which I believe everyone can relate to.. Most of us are paralysed by our own lack of doing. In this book Chad conspires to inspire by letting us all into his world. I am truly humbled that he would even take the time to write this book to help us all DO what we need to. Touching at times, sad in other moments. However, this book was the 1 ton bail of hay I needed.
February 18, 2025
Chad has a very inspiring story of overcoming a momentous setback in life. I've never heard him speak, but I'm sure his presentations are wonderful and powerful. However, putting his story to paper was just so-so; writing just isn't one of his strong traits.
*Have you ever felt paralyzed? Not necessarily physically, but perhaps emotionally or financially? Are you willing to question your perspectives and perceptions? Are you willing to consider doing things differently?
*Have you ever felt paralyzed? Not necessarily physically, but perhaps emotionally or financially? Are you willing to question your perspectives and perceptions? Are you willing to consider doing things differently?
February 15, 2019
I was blessed with the opportunity to hear Chad Hymas speak. It was a powerful experience for me so I wanted to read his book. The book did not inspire me the way he did. To be fair, he set the bar incredibly high. Motivational memoirs are never my genre of choice. It’s hard for me to connect the words on the page with reality.
July 25, 2017
Love this book. One doesn't recognize value of something until we lose it! This book describes journey of the author from a fully-abled man to a Quadriplegic and from a synical one with symptoms of depreciation and transforms himself into a inspiring personality who is appreciated by one and all!
May 18, 2021
Chad spoke to our company at a recent event and gave us all a free copy of his book. His story is pretty incredible. I was amazed at how much he's able to do as a quadriplegic! There were a few really good quotes in there that I need to copy and save for future reference.
December 5, 2016
I saw Chad speak and wanted to read his book. It didn't inspire me like he did in person. I thought the book always stayed at the surface and I wanted him to go deeper.
August 26, 2017
Easy inspiring read!
I liked how honest the author was about his feelings while he was on this incredible journey of healing both physically and emotionally
I liked how honest the author was about his feelings while he was on this incredible journey of healing both physically and emotionally
March 22, 2018
Inspirational book about overcoming adversity. Good stories and theme.
April 18, 2018
Can't remember finishing this and since I heard the guy speak I remember him from that. Inspirational story.
September 21, 2021
They only thing I remember after reading the book years ago is his life story
February 10, 2023
Inspirational and eye opening
Chad’s story grabbed my attention immediately and kept it. He brings everything together at the end into lessons we can all live by.
Chad’s story grabbed my attention immediately and kept it. He brings everything together at the end into lessons we can all live by.
January 30, 2024
Very motivating. Great easy read. Inspirational to hear from someone find the positive and uplifting in hard times.
April 16, 2024
A very easy inspirational read that came around a great motivating time.
February 17, 2017
I heard Chad speak at a conference. His story is pretty incredible and inspiring. His book was mostly a recap of his accident and recovery, with lots of motivational "You can DO it!" types of concepts.
February 4, 2017
Love it, very inspiring. I liked how he talks about braking down the tasks when accomplishing his world record marathon.
Quote from Art Berg (found with in this book),
"Dreams are never destroyed by circumstance. They live or die in your heart. My dreams come true not in spite of my circumstance but because of it...For those of us in the life who are afraid to change, life will change for us. Then it is always a more painful experience...Dream new dreams or dream old dreams in new ways... The difficult takes time; the impossible just takes a little longer."
Quote from Art Berg (found with in this book),
"Dreams are never destroyed by circumstance. They live or die in your heart. My dreams come true not in spite of my circumstance but because of it...For those of us in the life who are afraid to change, life will change for us. Then it is always a more painful experience...Dream new dreams or dream old dreams in new ways... The difficult takes time; the impossible just takes a little longer."
June 21, 2018
I received a copy of this book at a conference where Chad was one of the motivational speakers. He's better in person, than on the page, so if you have the opportunity to hear him speak, I recommend his live presentation. His story is inspiring, the theme is as the title suggests, you can do anything, even if it's not in the same way you used to do it. He, his wife and his entire support system is a testimony to the blessings and life changes that can be the result of a life changing event.
September 17, 2012
This was a business book of the month that was mailed to us a little while back. I started thumbing through it and couldn't put it down! The author is LDS and lives in Utah and became paralyzed at the age of 27. He writes about how his life is more fulfilling now than it could've been with the use of his arms and legs. Very inspirational!
March 19, 2016
Chad spoke at our global sales meeting in January. Incredibly inspiring. We all received his book. Quick, motivating read. Great inspirational quotes. Love the way Chad Hymas adjusted his thinking to deal with his situation and improve his life beyond what he ever imagined before the accident.
August 27, 2012
I wasn't quite sure what to expect going into the book. But, after reading this book I'm inspired to do MORE and do it NOW. I certainly have a renewed sense of thankfulness for everything I have been blessed with.
A Must Read.
A Must Read.
October 4, 2012
I really liked this book about a man who was injured and became a quadriplegic. He shares the lessons he's learned and helps people learn to hope when things seem hopeless. I'd recommend this book to anyone. It is short and each chapter has another lesson to learn.
January 10, 2015
I had the pleasure of attending a seminar in which Chad Hymas presented. He was very inspiring. We received a copy of his book. I just finished reading it and it was great. He really is an amazing man and the book is great!
Want to read
March 8, 2012Chad is a friend of our family. We met him after his accident. We started reading this book together as a family tonight. Great so far!
August 13, 2012
The most emotional motivation book I have ever read. After all passion is all about emotion. Highly recommended.
September 27, 2017
Love this book so much. This is an incredible story.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews