BOOK “On the LookOUT – for the better half”

1. Who is Diana Mereu?

I have to admit that I do not have the easiest job when it comes to addressing your question – I hold many titles, yet the “who” question is the hardest one to answer. To only name one role that I believe is the most relevant for today’s conversation is a writer – a born Romanian writing lyrics in English – disguising vulnerability as humour.

2. What is the book about?

The book combines the romantic sarcasm of the poems with the pragmatic approach of today’s reflections and it is built as a parallel between the present adult-self and the past younger-self. “On the LookOUT” is about the search for something or someone – without knowing (or later discovering) that what I was always on the lookout for was in fact to be found within myself.

3. How is the book structured?

The book is split into 2 chapters – “the others” or my definition of spreading oneself too thin, & “the one” a truly transformative experience that taught me about deliberate choices.

4. Why did you choose poetry?

I don’t think that there was a specific moment in time for poetry to come into my life – but it clearly detached itself from other styles as I found it more personal, profound and balanced. The reflection of my reality back then is transposed pretty accurate into lyrics given that it suffered little to no adjustments when published.

5. What was your inspiration for the book?

No matter how cliché it might sound, every experience I have gone through left its fingerprint on me and built me into the woman I am today. The book began as a journaling exercise in rhymes about life, experiences, romance and it developed into an introspection exercise once my personal journey took off from a more spiritual and self-aware perspective.

6. What were your challenges writing it?

The true challenge was the introspection part as it forced me to relive experiences from the past and see them with different eyes.

7. What is the purpose of the book? 

Initially it had no other purpose than to help me understand and regulate emotions. Along the way, it made me realize it helps me remain present and ground myself. And it ended as an emotional catharsis once I have reached the reflection part.

8. What feedback did you receive from your readers?

Some readers found themselves more in the whirlwind of emotions as depicted from the poems, while others in the deepness of the introspections.

9. Where can the book be found?

The book is officially available on Amazon as kindle, paperback, hardcover and audiobook. No matter the format of choice, it can make for an amazing gift for family and friends.

10. What are your future book related projects?

I’ve started a book clubbing series of 40 recorded events that shall be watched on a weekly basis on my YouTube channel, on topics such as mindset shift, healthy relationships, personal transformation. Also, together with my book launch team, we are going to creatively use the artwork in the book for a utility NFT project – more details coming soon. 

MINDSET COACHING

1. How is coaching embedded in the book? 

The book gets one to be more in tune with themselves. Once allowing this process of self-awareness to develop, the book becomes an amazing guide towards the discovery of the authentic-self. Should this book serve anyone to move themselves from outside focus to inner attention either through the rhymeful lyrics or introspection tools provided, my high purpose is achieved.

2. Why coaching?

Dotting the “i” by choice, rather than by chance, became my mantra while breaking new ground towards the future of personal transformation and empowerment. As a recently accredited coach, I dedicate myself to advancing people’s journeys from functional to fantastical through mindset pivot techniques.

3. What is mindset coaching?

Coaching, in general, is like personal training for the brain. Mindset coaching, in particular, challenges the status quo with a focus on inner thoughts, self-beliefs and behavioural patterns. As a mindset coach I help clients towards untapping their potential, overcoming their blockages, uncovering the power within, unleashing their inner roar, pivoting their mindset, moving past their limiting beliefs, transitioning from not-knowing to knowing & from “what if” to “what is”.

4. What differentiates you from other coaches?

My USP is order on the freeway as I deliver a freely structured coaching approach that consists of writing down the old, making mental space, bringing in the new.

5. What clients do you address best?

My clients are curious, eager to learn & improve, timely ready to embark on the journey, opened to guidance, in need of a safe space to let it all out, while embracing coaching as a “self-care” panacea.

PERSONAL BRANDING

1. What is branding?

The brand is a living thing – it evolves, changes, transforms. Recruiters, partners, clients – they want to know WHO you are, so they GOOGLE you. What pops up influences people’s impression about you, hence your brand is your mark that makes you stand out from the crowd.

2. How is personal branding different than professional branding?

There is no precise line between where your personal brand ends and your professional one begins. While the personal brand is what you say about yourself, the reputation is what others say about you and the business brand is an extension of your personal brand. There is through a difference between a personal brand which stands for who you are (as in your personal value) and personal branding which is what you communicate about who you are (meaning the added value you bring to the world).

3. How to build a personal brand?

It is all about how you want people to remember you. Start by identifying your beliefs, values, boundaries. Then, communicate these together with your purpose & mission to your audience in a genuine & clear way, leaving no room for interpretation or assumption. As a personal advice – In the end, show case your portfolio – it can be in the form of testimonials, recommendations, endorsements. Whatever you try to gain through your personal brand, be specific in your demands.

4. What is your personal branding story?

I have always been the go-to person, the head of class in university, the company liaison with external stakeholders, an industry board of advisors’ member, etc. This recognition of merits comes also with a huge responsibility on shoulders – one has to act in a certain way, to keep standards high, not to deviate from company narrative. Moving from representing companies to representing myself meant acting in line with my personal values, being truthful to who I was as a person, attracting based on personal interests. Despite the fear of not being liked or followed, one has to be conscious of the fact that truth sells & authenticity sifts through people. Nevertheless, the lesson I learnt is to make others part of my story by sharing downfalls, taking responsibility for failures, making my WHY clear without justifying it, asking for help and overall being vulnerable.

5. Where do you draw the line among brand strategy, identity and marketing?

Brand strategy, also called long-term development plan or roadmap, is the blueprint for how you want the world to see your business. Brand identity is the way that you convey this to the public with visuals (logo, colors, fonts), messaging and experience. Brand marketing is about building awareness, storytelling through community managers, brand ambassadors or influencer marketing.