“Superhabits: The Universal System for a Successful Life” (Sophia Institute Press, 2024)
Author: Andrew Abela is founding dean of the Busch School of Business at The Catholic University of America in Washington and speaks to business leaders around the world about cultivating the superhabits of success personally and in their organizations. Previously he worked at Procter & Gamble, McKinsey & Company and at the Corporate Executive Board. He holds an MBA from the Institute for Management Development in Switzerland and a doctorate from the Darden Business School at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He and his wife, Kathleen, live in Great Falls and are parishioners of nearby St. Catherine of Siena Church, where all six of their children attended the parish school, Siena Academy.
Synopsis: For too many of us, life is harder than it needs to be, because we have forgotten the classical system of “superhabits” — virtues — that make it easier to live the lives we want. Several popular books tell us how to build habits — we now need to figure out which habits will be most helpful. Modern science confirms what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, that the virtues, such as preparedness, resilience and generosity, aren’t just optional strengths that we can take or leave — they are the very framework of the Christian life, and “make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life” (No. 1804). Collectively, the virtues make up our “Human Operating System”: a complete set of superhabits for flourishing in every aspect of our lives, including making decisions, managing emotions, and dealing with others. With the help of divine grace, anyone can develop any of these superhabits by practicing small, daily steps, even if you feel you are completely lacking in willpower.
Why did you write this book? I wanted to bring all the immensely practical teaching about virtue to a wider audience. I saw that psychologists and management scholars as well as theologians and philosophers were writing about virtues, but independently of each other, and I wanted to bring all of this together in a practical, useful way.
What’s something else the average Catholic in the pew should know about it? Virtue doesn’t just mean goodness or values. Virtues are specific habits of excellence that anyone can develop, and that make life easier, happier, and healthier.
Find out more
Abela will discuss his book “Superhabits” Oct. 22 at Catholic U. with Kathryn Jean Lopez of National Review and at the Catholic Information Center in Washington Oct. 24.
