Have you ever looked at your CV and thought, “I did all that…but who was it all for?” Have you chased deadlines, won awards, and met every metric, but feel further from the ideas that first inspired you? Hey co-authors! In this episode, we’re talking about how to protect your academic identity and purpose in a system that all-too-often rewards output over authenticity. We’ll unpack the pressures that push scholars to toward unfulfilling productivity and how to resist them without losing your momentum. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Reconnect with your intellectual identity and rediscover what drew you to research in the first place. Set “aligned output” goals that track progress in ideas, not just publication counts. Say “no” strategically to projects that don’t serve your long-term scholarly purpose. Define what enough looks like for you, so your academic path reflects who you are—not just what’s rewarded. Tune in to learn how to preserve your purpose, realign your goals, and keep your scholarship centered on what truly matters to you. Want to Connect? Email: publishingacademicresearch@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/c-kyle-rudick-59a040a7 Schedule a Free, 30-Minute Consultation: https://calendly.com/publishingacademicresearch/30min