The Power of Mental Rehearsal: A Lesson in Visualisation from the Edge of the Sound Barrier

Have you ever noticed how the most accomplished performers in any field seem to move through their biggest moments with an almost supernatural confidence? As if they've been there before? Here's the thing—they have. In their minds.

The Edge of Wonder

This weekend, we enjoyed some family time at the Atlanta Air Show to celebrate my firstborn son Jake's 19th birthday.

Despite the 45-minute line for chicken nuggets and the mind-numbing heat, it was a magnificent day. We especially enjoyed watching the Thunderbirds, the United States Air Force's elite demonstration team. Having the privilege of working with the Air Force through our work at JFG (Juliet Funt Group), I have an even deeper appreciation for these remarkable pilots, who execute maneuvers as low as 100 feet off the ground at speeds exceeding 700 mph. The jets dance in spectacular unison and sound like they’re tearing the sky. The vibration reaches right down into your gut and moves through you. If you’ve never experienced it, jot it on your bucket list.

Still buzzing with excitement after the show and feeling inspired by the day’s display, we spent the evening watching The Blue Angels over sushi. The 2024 documentary by Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios captures the brilliance of the US Navy’s demonstration team, but one scene, in particular, left me floored (to the point where I replayed it so many times that my family was ready to ban me from the remote).

Chair Flying

If you’re not familiar with what the incredible aeronautic acrobats in demonstration teams do, the Thunderbirds (U.S. Air Force) and the Blue Angels (U.S. Navy) are specialised aviation squads that perform high-speed, precise aerial maneuvers in tightly synchronised formations to showcase the skill and discipline of their respective branches. During some maneuvers, they fly so close that there's only about 18 inches between their wingtip and the next aircraft.

When you're flying just under the speed of sound with only 18 inches between you and catastrophe, there's no room for uncertainty. The stakes couldn't be higher, and neither could the level of preparation. While most of us won't find ourselves in a fighter jet formation, we all face moments where the margin for error feels frighteningly slim—whether it's a make-or-break presentation, a crucial conversation with a loved one, or a decision that could alter our career path. That's where "chair flying" comes in.

The scene that captivated me showed the Blue Angels pilots sitting together, still, eyes closed, while their leaders verbally guided them through an imagined flight.

The precision and unity with which these pilots could place themselves in this imagined reality was extraordinary. Whether executing their signature six-plane delta formation or performing combat maneuvers in their F/A-18 Super Hornets, they practice until the visualisation becomes as real as flight itself.

'Chair flying' has long been a cornerstone of preparation for demonstration teams. In the video below, you'll see another team's take on this mental rehearsal practice. They alternate between active rehearsal, using pens to trace their flight paths, and moments of completely still visualisation—eyes closed and minds soaring.

The Power of Seeing the Future

This practice immediately resonated with me because I've been doing my own version of "chair flying" for 15 years.

Before every keynote speech or difficult executive pitch, I visualise the experience in detail—right down to choosing my outfit in advance and requesting venue photos to make my mental rehearsal as accurate as possible. It's a practice that has enormously supported my performance on stage and beyond.

The “mental rehearsal” tool is something that’s long been used by some of the most triumphant and inspiring individuals. Consider this remarkable story about Olympic champion Michael Phelps and his coach Bob Bowman.

What Phelps and the Blue Angels understand—what I've experienced firsthand—is that our brains are remarkably sophisticated simulation machines.

Studies show that when we vividly imagine an experience, our neural pathways fire in patterns similar to actually performing the action. It’s been proven to improve performance outcomes by up to 23%, enhance decision-making confidence, and even increase physical strength through neural pathway activation.

"Chair flying" isn’t just for fighter pilots or public speakers—it’s a technique adaptable to nearly any area of life. For athletes, it means mentally rehearsing the movements that lead to peak performance; for professionals, it’s running through the nuances of a high-stakes meeting or presentation; for parents, it could be visualising a calm response in a challenging moment with a child. Visualisation lets you mentally walk through various scenarios, refining your responses and intentions so that when the real moment arrives, you’re grounded, confident, and ready.

Glide Toward Your Goals

You don't need hours for this practice. Even a moment or two of focused mental rehearsal can make a difference. Try it before your next important meeting, interview, first date, or difficult conversation. Picture yourself handling the situation with grace and confidence. If you can't "see" it, describe it to yourself in words or focus on the physical sensations of confidence and competence.

Try a little chair flying of your own. Close your eyes, or keep them open if you prefer, and walk through every step of what's ahead. Your mind will begin laying down the neural pathways to success, just like those Blue Angel pilots practicing their precision maneuvers long before they take to the sky.

I'd love to hear about how this practice impacts your next important moment, or how it has worked for you across your career. After all, the best performers in any field don't just chance it—they see their success before they live it.

This article was also published on Juliet Funt's LinkedIn