Inactive Tutor answered 08/05/13
Finding ways to use algebra in everyday situations is sometimes really helpful as well.
For example, word problems often make people cringe, until they dig deeper and think them through.
Many of those are designed to mimic or even copy real life scenarios, this could help provide motivation on helping to understand and learn algebra.
Putting the pencil to paper seems to be a strategy that can't be avoided. Most (my hand raised) people need to burn through some lead to get to a good understanding, and showing your work by the steps is really mandatory because you can see where you went wrong, or had the eureka moment!