I know that many of my friends jokingly rib me about my obsession with the '7 Habits'; but allow me to demonstrate how powerful they really are.
At a time when it is appropriate to celebrate the life of the Queen, I think the most effective way is to allow Her Majesty to make these points in her own words...
Habit 1 - Be Proactive: “Our modern world places such heavy demands on our time and attention that the need to remember our responsibilities to others is greater than ever”
Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind: “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service”
Habit 3: Put first things first: “Although my experience is so short and my task so new, I have in my parents and grandparents an example which I can follow"
Habit 4: Think win-win: (Prince Philip has) been my strength and stay all these years, (we) owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know”
Habit 5: Seek first to understand then to be understood: “We are all part of the same fabric of our national society, and...scrutiny...can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humour and understanding”
Habit 6: Synergise: “We may hold different points of view, but it is in times of stress and difficulty that we most need to remember that we have much more in common than there is dividing us”
Habit 7: Sharpen the saw: “I hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last 70 years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm”