From Survival Mode to Aligned Action – My Journey From Struggle to Purpose
Written by Cindy Witteman, Founder/CEO/Editor-in-Chief
Cindy Witteman is a multi-award-winning author, speaker, and founder dedicated to empowering others through storytelling, action, and impact. She inspires change as the creator of Little Give TV Show, FORCE Magazine, and the Nonprofit Driving Single Parents Inc.
There was a time in my life when sleep was a luxury. I was working two jobs, going to college, and raising my daughters on my own. Most nights, I ran on two or three hours of sleep and a whole lot of faith. I was fueled by the determination to create a better life, not just for me, but for my girls. I wanted to show them that despite our circumstances, they could dream big, live fully, and rise above the struggle.
After leaving a domestic violence situation, I made a promise to myself and my daughters that we would never settle for survival mode again. Choosing divorce wasn’t a failure. It was an act of protection and love. But still, I felt I had something to prove. I wanted to show them that I wasn’t broken, that I could build something beautiful out of the pieces we were left with.
So I worked. I pushed. I strived. I thought the answer was to outwork everyone, to climb so high that no one could question my worth or the decision I made to walk away. I was caught in what I now call the success trap. I believed that if I just did more, achieved more, and stayed constantly in motion, I could finally feel like I was enough. But no matter how many accolades I earned or accomplishments I checked off, there was still something missing.
For years, I was obsessed with ROI, Return on Investment. I poured my time, energy, and money into building a life that looked successful on the outside. But I never stopped to ask what I truly wanted, what made me feel alive, or what actually brought me joy. My life was all about proving, doing, and achieving. I never considered how I felt in the process.
It wasn’t until a few years ago that everything shifted.
I learned about a different kind of measurement: ROE, Return on Energy. That concept changed my life.
I began to look at everything through a new lens. Instead of asking, “What will I get out of this?” I started asking, “How will this make me feel? Will this give me energy or drain me?” That simple shift led me to align with my purpose, live with intention, and finally discover what happiness really looks like.
When I stopped chasing and started aligning, everything changed.
Today, work doesn’t feel like work. It’s exciting. It’s meaningful. And best of all, I have the time and resources to help others do the same.
Now, I am proud to serve as the Founder and CEO of Driving Single Parents, a nonprofit that gives reliable vehicles to single-parent families in need. We don’t just give away cars. We give families a chance to rebuild, to show up for work, to drop off their kids at school safely, and to start again with dignity. It’s a tool that truly helps them get to the next level for themselves and their children.
I also created and host the Little Give TV Show, where we spotlight individuals and nonprofits who are making the world a better place. Every episode features a nonprofit doing incredible work and the people behind the mission. We believe in showing the good in the world because it’s out there, and it’s powerful.
In addition, I’m the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of FORCE Magazine, a publication dedicated to uplifting entrepreneurs, change-makers, and everyday heroes who lead with impact. We’re not here to chase trends. We’re here to showcase purpose.
Through my business, CF Views LLC, I help others take aligned action through my Action Mastery program. I only work with four clients a year, and I’m currently looking for one aligned and committed client to start on August 1, 2025. If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and are ready to make real progress toward your goals, I’d love to connect.
Every single thing I do today is grounded in what gives me energy, what feels aligned, and what creates impact. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters.
If you’re still in survival mode, feeling stuck, or chasing success without fulfillment, let me be the one to tell you there is another way. When you stop doing what drains you and start doing what lights you up, everything begins to shift. You don’t have to prove your worth. You already have it. Now, it’s about stepping into it. Ready to up-level your life? Shoot me an email here, and we can discuss how this program can truly help you move in the right direction.
You don’t have to hustle for your worth. You just need aligned action.
Want to learn more or get involved?
Visit the nonprofit at DrivingSingleParents.org.
Check out the magazine at ForceMagazine.com.
Explore Action Mastery and resources at CFViews.com.
Read more from Cindy Witteman
Cindy Witteman, Founder/CEO/Editor-in-Chief
Cindy Witteman is an award-winning author, speaker, and Action Mastery Specialist passionate about helping others create impact and live with purpose. As the founder of Driving Single Parents Inc., creator of the Little Give TV Show, and Editor-in-Chief of FORCE Magazine, she empowers people worldwide to turn challenges into triumphs. Cindy is also a proud mom, Nonna, and advocate for giving back, believing that even the smallest acts of kindness can create a lasting ripple effect. Through her work, she continues to inspire others to embrace possibilities, take bold action, and write their own success stories.
