What is the mirror test? Or the rocking chair test? How important are these in finding out what drives you? And what is the role of strategic planning in this process? In this Heart Asia podcast, Dr Ernest Garcia, specialist in the science of image interpretation, tells Dr Andrew Einstein, cardiologist, about the importance of planning ahead in the journey of finding inner value and reaching goals. He is a Professor at the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, USA (ernest.garcia@emory.edu) and also a member of a rock band. In this conversation, Dr Garcia reveals what young researchers should do to succeed in both their professional and personal lives. These topics are also developed in the paper ‘Strategic Planning: A tool for personal & career growth’, published on the May 2016 edition of Heart Asia. Read the full paper here: http://heartasia.bmj.com/content/8/1/36.full.