In this insightful conversation, Andrew Abella, founding dean of the Bush School of Business and author of Superhabits, shares his expertise in leadership and character development. He discusses the four pillars of success—prudence, justice, courage, and self-discipline—and how they can shape our lives. Andrew emphasizes the distinction between habits and personality, arguing that character can be cultivated over time. He also champions the importance of leisure for mental health and introduces the concept of 'super habits' as a pathway to personal transformation.
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insights INSIGHT
Which Habits Matter?
Most habit books focus on how to build habits, but not which habits to build.
Andrew Abela's book Super Habits argues that certain habits are superior and lead to lasting success.
insights INSIGHT
Order of Virtue Development
Andrew Abela suggests developing virtues in the opposite order of the traditional cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance).
Start with self-discipline, then courage, justice, and finally, practical wisdom (prudence).
insights INSIGHT
Aquinas's 50 Virtues
Aquinas identified 50 virtues, encompassing the four cardinal virtues and their sub-virtues.
If you struggle with self-discipline, focus on one specific sub-virtue, like restraint, to make progress.
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In 'Tiny Habits,' Dr. BJ Fogg presents a breakthrough method for habit formation based on 20 years of research and his experience coaching thousands of people. The book introduces the 'Behavior Design' approach, which emphasizes the importance of motivation, ability, and prompts in creating new habits. Fogg's method, known as the ABC (Anchor, Behavior, Celebration) method, involves anchoring new habits to existing routines, performing the behavior, and celebrating each success to reinforce the habit. The book provides step-by-step guides and practical techniques to make habit formation easy, enjoyable, and rewarding, helping readers to increase productivity, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.
Super Habits
Super Habits
The Universal System for a Successful Life
Andrew Abela
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].
The Power of Habit
Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Charles Duhigg
In this book, Charles Duhigg explores the science of habit formation and change. He explains the 'habit loop' consisting of a cue, a routine, and a reward, and how understanding this loop can help in changing bad habits or forming good ones. The book includes numerous examples from various fields, such as how Procter & Gamble successfully marketed Febreze, how Alcoa transformed its business by focusing on safety, and how individuals like Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and civil-rights hero Martin Luther King, Jr. benefited from specific habits. Duhigg argues that by harnessing this science, individuals and organizations can transform their lives and businesses[2][4][5].
We all know that habits shape our lives. But which habits actually matter? In this episode of The Double Win Show, Michael and Megan sit down with Dr. Andrew Abella, founding dean of the Bush School of Business and author of Superhabits, to discuss a framework for building a flourishing life. Andrew shares how ancient wisdom, backed by modern science, reveals the core virtues that drive success—and how anyone can develop them. If you’ve ever wondered where to start when it comes to personal growth, this episode is your answer.
Memorable Quotes
“Cultivating self discipline is not about stifling a desire. It’s about redirecting it gently into a more productive direction.”
“There is a specific set of habits that is far superior.”
“Vitrues are specific habits of excellence.”
“Every [virtue] all of us have inside us. They just need to be activated… by practicing them.”
“There’s a freedom that comes from growing in self-discipline, because instead of being a prey to whatever desire that you have, you’re in charge.”
“For an adult who’s looking at harmless social media, the problem is you are wasting your desire to know on stuff that is not going to help you.”
Key Takeaways
The Four Pillars of Success. Prudence, justice, courage, and self-discipline form the foundation of a flourishing life, shaping how we think, act, and grow.
The “Which Habit?” Problem. Most habit books focus on how to build habits, but the real challenge is knowing which habits will lead to lasting success.
The Power of Restraint. Simple acts of restraint—like pausing before reacting or delaying instant gratification—build your no muscle for the other areas of life.
The Role of Leisure. True rest isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about engaging in activities that refresh the mind and restore creativity.
The Double Win 
