Are you so smart you can learn how to do anything by just reading about it or do you do much better with hands-on experience and guidance?

It depends on what it is I want to accomplish, but I lean very heavily towards hands on.  Reading how-to only gives me a one-sided view, while hands on learning allows me see different aspects (I have to know it all).   I don't like being told how-to do something, as my mind works too fast and they only slow down the process.  Say it, show it once, and then get out of my way!  Much of what I know how to do was self-taught (trial and error).