ANDREW ABELA: The Habits That Change Everything

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

1. “Cultivating self discipline is not about stifling a desire. It’s about redirecting it gently into a more productive direction.”
2. “There is a specific set of habits that is far superior.”
3. “Vitrues are specific habits of excellence.”
4. “Every [virtue] all of us have inside us. They just need to be activated… by practicing them.”
5. “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.”
6. “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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. The Role of Leisure. True rest isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about engaging in activities that refresh the mind and restore creativity.

Resources

1. Superhabits by Dr. Andrew Abela
2. Superhabits Substack
3. GrowVirtue (The SuperHabits App)
4. The Anatomy of Virtue Graphic
5. Andrew Abela’s LinkedIn

Watch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/RAJeu68fIJ4

This episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound