I have found that when I make a personal connection with my adult learners, they are more apt to strive for a higher goal. For example, I tell my PreAlgebra students the story of how I failed that class in 1992 and I went on to nearly completing an EdD. I have had several students tell me whenever they have felt like giving up, they reflect upon that one statement and then they figure if I can do it, they can, too.