When I was a kid growing up near Norwich, I remember going to an airshow, and being completely mesmerised by the display of the Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force’s elite aerobatic team. I recall the coloured smoke streaking across the sky, the perfect formations, and the roar of the engines; it was absolutely thrilling. Although I didn’t realise it at the time, they were already setting the standard for precision and excellent performances. Moreover, they had a secret technique they practised consistently to help them raise their performances in the air.
Of course, I had no idea what went into those displays. But now I do.
Chair Flying Technique
Years later, I discovered that the Blue Angels—the US Navy’s equivalent of the Red Arrows—don’t just train in the air. Before every show or practice, the team gathers in a briefing room and mentally rehearses the entire routine. This training helps them raise their performances and create stunning aerobatic shows, that millions of people enjoy.
The technique they use is called “chair flying”—a form of visualisation where they mentally rehearse the entire flight sequence with eyes closed, simulating each formation shift, timing cue, and radio call.
The Blue Angels even visualise potential mistakes, mimicking control inputs with their hands to train their minds and bodies to respond under pressure. They don’t just imagine it, they feel it and live it before they ever leave the ground. This dedication to their calling helps raise their performances mentally before flying.
Visualise First To Raise Performances on The Day
Why does this work? The brain doesn’t know the difference between a real experience and one that’s vividly imagined. Mental rehearsal activates the same neural pathways as real-world action. It builds confidence, reduces mental errors, and rewires the brain for success. This technique to raise performances works outside the cockpit too.
Athletes are experts in mental rehearsal techniques to raise performances
Michael Phelps visualised every night before races, imagining every stroke, every turn, and even potential setbacks, like a broken goggle strap. Mentally rehearsing setbacks ensures you are ready for real life challenges. During one gold medal race, his goggles filled with water, yet he still won, because he had practised that exact scenario countless times. He raised his performances in the pool by practicing mentally first.
When I was competing in triathlons and preparing for the Australian Ironman, I did the same. Every night, to help raise my performance on the day, I visualised myself running through the finish line, feeling strong and proud, imagining myself qualifying for the Hawaii Ironman World Championships.
I saw the time, felt the rush, and pictured the moment again and again. And on race day, when I crossed that line with the qualifying time, it felt like I’d already been there, and had qualified – and I did!
That’s the power of mental rehearsal. It raises performances and creates certainty, and self-belief.
Visualisation isn’t just for the elite—it’s for you. Furthermore, some of the world’s top performers rely on it too. Professional speakers, surgeons, and entrepreneurs use visualisation to prepare and raise their performances when it matters most. One of my clients, a surgeon, visualises herself going through the operation in her mind, before every operation.
Oprah Winfrey and Sara Blakely both credit mental rehearsal and visualisation as key tools in their success.
Visualisation is more than a performance tool, it’s a habit.
Like all powerful habits, when you use them, you build momentum, focus, and confidence over time. Habits are foundational to our success and failures in life. This is one reason why I created my new High Performance Mindset Accelerator Program. It’s designed to give you maximum support, accountability and expert guidance to help you lay the foundations for success by building consistent, high-performance habits.
When you know you have good habits to fall back in, you achieve more, feel better and ultimately, feel successful from the inside out. Something that many entrepreneurs and high achieving professionals say they don’t feel, despite their external success.
Whether you’re preparing for a big moment in business, a new launch, or simply wanting to raise your performances, and perform at your best, take time to visualise it first.
See it clearly. Feel it fully. Let your brain rehearse success before it happens.
Because when the moment comes, you won’t just hope it goes well. You’ll be better prepared, more certain and ready for it.
✨ About Mandy
Mandy Napier is a Global High Performance Mindset Coach who helps business professionals and entrepreneurs fulfil their potential and achieve extraordinary results, both professionally and personally. Her work blends neuroscience, mindset tools, and practical coaching to create real transformation, helping clients rewire old patterns, build confidence, and perform at their best.
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