On Purpose with Briana Donaldson- Singer, Song Writer, Life Strategist & Coach

Responses by: Briana Donaldson

Edited by: Marsheda Patrice, Esq.

May 4, 2025

Purpose and self-discovery is a journey that can make us feel as if we are alone in our struggles. The Purpose Press highlights the narratives of our community members.

Founder of the She Said Yes brand

On self...

Name? 

Briana Donaldson, CPEC, MAPP

Where are you from? 

The D! Detroit, MI

Where are you based? 

Southfield, MI

What do you do for work?

I am a Life Strategist and Coach who empowers women to embrace a "She Said Yes" mentality — to stop just dreaming and start living their dreams, designing their destiny, and claiming the life they were always meant to live. This is a life where they finally exhale, feel seen and heard, and celebrate as they boldly step into purpose beyond the expected. My work focuses on empowering women to break free from societal expectations—the notion that a woman's worth is defined solely by traditional roles, such as marriage and motherhood. Many incredible women feel trapped living a "society-instructed life," following a pre-set path instead of one aligned with their true passions and values. My passion is helping them shift to a "personalized life strategy". This involves self-discovery to identify core values, uncover innate talents, and define a purpose that resonates authentically with one's identity. Ultimately, I guide them to build the confidence and courage to pursue their dreams intentionally. This journey of deepening intimacy with God and discovering purpose is also central to my book, "From The Heart of My Savior."

How would you describe yourself in your own words?

I am a dreamer whose purpose is to harness the transformative power of experiences to positively impact lives. I am a singer, songwriter, author, and coach with deep roots in faith, passionate about learning, creating transformational experiences, and empowering others. I strive to be authentic, courageous in following God's path, and dedicated to helping others discover their unique purpose through a deeper connection with God. I believe in the power of seeking God first, trusting His plan, and living a life filled with intention, joy, and the confidence that comes from knowing your inherent worth. 

What experience has shaped your sense of self the most?

Saying "yes" to God's proposal for my life required supernatural courage and shifted my sense of self. It led me to live a year of endless possibilities where I opened myself up to opportunities I would normally be too afraid to take advantage of. I attended a 3-day coach training that unveiled my innate ability to step back and see the larger patterns in a client's life. The insightful perspective I provided helped others gain clarity, and I discovered a deeper, more meaningful purpose in the way God designed me. This gave me language for the things I always understood at a surface level - the life of my dreams isn't about becoming someone else, but about fully expressing the best qualities already within me. 

When do you feel most at home in yourself?

I feel most at home within myself during moments of quiet connection with God, utilizing my gifts of perspective, teaching, and music ministry. It's in the moments of stillness with God that I receive many inspiring and revelatory downloads, which enrich my spirit and refuel my hope. I carry that energy into the ministry of my gifts - whether I’m helping a client reframe challenges, understand the roots of their limiting beliefs, and connect their current choices to their long-term vision, ministering in song, or teaching about purpose, dreaming, and vision. This sense of belonging and peace isn't dependent on external circumstances but comes from knowing my identity in Christ. 

What contributes to your feeling of self?

My feeling of self is anchored in my faith and my relationship with God. It's shaped by the understanding that my worth is inherent, not defined by my relationship status or career achievements, and my willingness to embrace the unique gifts and passions God has given me. These gifts have enabled me to make a significant contribution to my community and have helped me build my confidence.

How has your identity evolved over time?

I remember living as a validation chaser - always striving for approval through traditional paths and societal expectations. The turning point was breaking away from the idea of the “textbook life,” where everything I achieve aligns with other people’s lives and timelines. It was tiring trying to keep up with living someone else’s life. Now I draw the blueprint for my life from a unique God-given vision. But this didn’t happen overnight. It involved shedding limiting beliefs, overcoming the fear of trailblazing, and learning to trust God's guidance completely.

Masters Program Graduation from Princeton

Are there any aspects of your identity that you’ve struggled to accept or embrace?

I've struggled with shedding the "shoulds"— “I should be further along in my career. I should have achieved ‘this’ or ‘that’ by now.” There was a time when deviating from everyone’s expectations felt like failure. Learning to fully embrace God's unique timing and plan, even when it looked different from what I or others might have expected, was a process. It required overcoming the need for external validation and learning to be comfortable in the discomfort of blazing a new trail for my immediate family. I’m the first to become a coach, author, and release original music. I have been discouraged from expressing my talents in different areas in the past, but I have learned to ignore the limitations that others try to impose on me. It also involved learning to see past hurts not as defining characteristics of my identity (i.e., experiencing rejection does not mean you are rejected), but as testimonies to God's healing and faithfulness. Releasing those burdens and embracing the freedom God offers is a journey I explore in "From The Heart of My Savior.”

If your inner child could say anything to the you of today, what would they say?

“Wow, look at you! Thank you for liberating me from the pain of the past and pushing me forward to a glorious future. Thank you for not giving up! You stopped waiting for permission and realized you were worthy all along. You found your voice and are helping others find theirs. Remember how you dreamed? Keep dreaming, keep trusting His big plans, and even when the path looks steep, keep holding on to hope. God really does make everything work together for your good.”

On purpose…

What does "purpose" mean to you?

Purpose is the destination of a life well-lived. To me, purpose isn't just about what you do, but who you are in God and how you live in response to the unique, God-given values, talents, and passions that He designed in you.

Please share a defining moment that shaped your purpose.

She Said Yes, Virtual Workshop

A truly defining moment was when I realized that many of my post-collegiate years had been spent striving for achievements to validate my worth, instead of expressing my worth through the gifts I already possessed. It was then that I realized the support and partnership I had been striving for were always available to me in the friendships, connections, and resources that were within my reach. However, this path led me to discover my true calling: coaching. And because I wasted so much time waiting for permission to pursue my life's dreams, my passion to empower women was born. This taught me that purpose isn't found in clinging to our own plans, but in trusting His guidance and embracing the unique journey He orchestrates. Our experiences are not just for us to learn from, but can also serve as a springboard for others to discover their purpose. 

Have you ever felt disconnected from your life’s purpose? How did/do you handle it?

Yes! As recently as last year, I began feeling disconnected from the work I do for a company because it no longer aligned with my vision. It was a very uncertain and uncomfortable time, so I began pursuing my long-term vision. I started exploring the possibility of moving cross-country and searching for new opportunities that aligned with my vision. Through this process, I gained insight into the timing of when to pursue that part of my career vision and received confirmation that it would come to fruition in due time. I believe it was preparation for me to endure hearing “no” and learn that it really means “not yet”. Eventually, things shifted, and now I find myself in a position that allows me to cultivate the skills and capabilities I need to achieve my long-term vision. I didn’t use the discomfort as an excuse to do nothing, but God revealed to me, through all my actions, that I was right where He wanted me to be.

In process… 

What were the first steps you took to explore your purpose?

The very first steps involved intentionally creating space for God and committing to seeking Him first. I started asking Him to speak to me daily and committed to listening, viewing it as building a love relationship, not just a religious duty. Because of that, I knew when opportunities would align with the concept I had for my purpose. I completed my certification as a Personal & Executive Coach through the Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute. As I learned more about Positive Psychology and how it aligned with my aspiration to create transformative experiences, I pursued a Master's in Applied Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Consciously choosing to trust God’s plan over my own, proved to generate the greatest rewards. This process of seeking intimacy with God, listening for His voice, and trusting His guidance is the foundation I share in "From The Heart of My Savior."

When did you feel confident enough to fully embrace your purpose?

It wasn’t until I started using my gifts that I fully embraced my purpose. I began to realize how my music, songs like “In You,” brought so much peace to my friends when they first listened to it. I had heard the song so much that I didn’t realize how impactful it would be for someone experiencing it for the first time. And this was an important lesson. What seemed mundane to me was life-changing for others because there is always purpose in birthing God’s gifts into the world. It seemed scary at first, but knowing that even one person’s life might be changed gave me the confidence to push past the fear of failure and go confidently in the direction of my purpose. This is a strategy I used when releasing my first devotional journal. I asked my community to engage with it, and the outpouring of appreciation that I received was overwhelming. Everything I asked God to do - let the readers find the words of encouragement they need every time they open up the pages, and let every word bring life to barren places - I heard testimonies of Him doing just that! This was added fuel to the fiery passion I have for writing and publishing resources for my clients. 

What products, courses, events, strategies, or resources have you used or created that are supporting your purpose journey?

My purpose journey is deeply intertwined with both personal spiritual practices and the resources I've developed to help others on their paths.

Resources I've Created:

• "From the Heart of My Savior" Devotional Journal: This book is a direct result of my faith journey and serves as a 14-day guide for others to deepen their love relationship and faith in Christ. It features scripture, reflections, prayers, journal prompts, and "conversation starters" from God. There is truly something special about writing to reveal the root personal struggles and create self-awareness to overcome them. The 14-day journey culminates with faith-building lessons that create fearless confidence in pursuing one's purpose.

• Coaching & Community: My coaching practice focuses on guiding women from a "society-instructed life" to a "personalized life strategy," helping them discover their values and purpose and build confidence in their ability to live their dreams. Community is also vital for personal growth and achievement, which is why I created the “She Said Yes” community, a space where women support one another’s gifts and purpose.

• Music: As a worship leader and songwriter, I have released original music, “In You” and “My First Love." These songs are expressions of my faith, part of my own journey, and an offering to others. You can enjoy on Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, and other streaming platforms. 

Personal Strategies & Resources I Used:

• Trusting God's Plan: Actively choosing to trust God's plan has been at the core of every phase of my purpose journey. The most crucial strategy has been cultivating intimacy with God through prayer, scripture meditation, and seizing moments of stillness to hear His voice. This has always helped me find my way when I feel consumed by the pressure of creating and achieving, and has carried me through seasons of sorrow and trial.

• Education: My formal education, which includes a Master's degree in Applied Positive Psychology and certification in personal and executive coaching, has provided me with frameworks and tools that complement my faith-based, science-backed approach.

• Coaching and Faith in Action: Overcoming doubt by confronting it with the truth of God's word and choosing to act in faith, even when things seem uncertain, is a continuous practice. I’m grateful for my coach, who supports me in overcoming challenges and taking action toward my purpose.

Support Briana Donaldson by checking out the resources above and listening to her soul lifting music. Follow Briana on IG @brilyndon and email her at brilyndon@brilyndon.com.