Why Hands-On Matters

Have you seen Chris Hemsworth's show Limitless on Disney+? I highly recommend. While enjoying the extreme stunts and peak physical fitness is fun, the show is a great reminder that stretching yourself, mentally and physically, is essential to growth and longevity.

Hemsworth, aka Thor, has plenty of money and could spend the rest of his life taking it easy. He could relax with his family, go surfing, act when he feels the inclination, and enjoy life at his own pace. But that's not the drive he feels. Chris understands that not challenging himself could limit his potential, reduce his vitality, and ultimately shorten his lifespan. Pushing boundaries, learning new skills, and staying active are his ways of ensuring he not only lives longer, but lives fully.

I love this Benjamin Franklin quote:

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."

The power of hands-on, tactile learning cannot be overstated. When we actively engage using our hands, our bodies, and our minds together, we don’t just memorize information. We internalize it, adapt it, and retain it in ways that passive learning never achieves.

Technology can amplify this process, but it shouldn’t replace it. Screens and apps are great tools, but the magic happens when we do. Whether it’s building, experimenting, or even moving while learning, combining motion with mental effort strengthens neural pathways and yes, it also contributes to our overall wellness and longevity.

Stretching ourselves keeps our bodies and brains in motion. Learning a new skill, challenging our balance, or even just moving in unfamiliar ways helps maintain cognitive sharpness and physical resilience as we age.

Practical Hands-On Learning Tips to Grow This Week

I Asked C.A.R.L. (the Cohesive Artificial Response Leader) how I could learn and grow in a hands-on way this week, and this was his response:

"To learn and grow in a hands-on way, you can focus on activities that align with cultivating a growth mindset and becoming a cohesive leader. Here are a few suggestions based on our principles:

1. Engage in Meaningful Work: Identify a project or task at work that you find meaningful and dive into it. Focus on how you can contribute to its success and learn from the experience.
2. Practice Collaboration: Find opportunities to collaborate with colleagues. This could be through a team project or simply offering to help someone with their tasks. Collaboration helps build trust and mutual commitment.
3. Read and Learn: Dedicate time each day to read books, articles, or listen to podcasts that are related to your field or personal development. Even 15 minutes a day can make a significant difference over time.
4. Reflect on Your Strengths: Spend some time reflecting on your strengths and how you can leverage them in your current role. This aligns with focusing on your strengths rather than weaknesses.
5. Join a Community: Engage with a community of like-minded individuals who are proactive and positive. This can provide support and accountability as you work on your growth.
6. Eliminate Negative Thoughts: Work on identifying and reducing negative thoughts. This can have a greater impact on your mindset than just adding positivity.

Remember, growth is a planned event, and it requires effort and dedication. By incorporating these activities into your week, you can actively work towards your personal and professional development."

Don't just consume knowledge through endless doom scrolling. Engage with it. Move with it. Let learning be an experience that involves every part of you. The next time you’re tempted to rely solely on technology, remember that real growth happens when you get hands-on.

Try it this week: pick one thing you’ve never done before. Build it, stretch for it, move for it. Involve yourself fully. You might just surprise yourself with how much you learn and how good it feels to do it.