In simple terms, visualisation is the process of imagining a course of action or response to a sequence of events. When used correctly it can be an incredibly powerful tool and is often used by athletes and sportsman. They will visualise the feeling, the environment, the muscle movements etc that are required to achieve the desired outcome and has been shown to significantly improve performance.

Pilots use the same process although we tend to refer to it as armchair flying. By mentally preparing and practicing we can enhance performance and produce a more consistent performance, especially when under pressure.
 
If you have a spare few minutes I would highly recommend watching a TED talk given by Alex Hannold where he describes how visualisation helped him scale El Capitan – it provides a clear example of how powerful this technique can be!

Imagine being by yourself in the dead center of a 3,000-foot vertical cliff -- without a rope to catch you if you fall. For professional rock climber Alex Honnold, this dizzying scene marked the culmination of a decade-long dream. In a hair-raising talk, he tells the story of how he summited Yosemite's El Capitan, completing one of the most dangerous free solo climbs ever.

Maybe you are an avid golfer. Have you ever received training to improve your golf swing? Time spent visualising the techniques suggested by your trainer and the full swing  – your stance, the environment, the position of the ball, the feel of the club in your hand, the swing and the follow through – will compliment the training and physical practice, improving your overall game.
 
What activities or processes do you use in your personal or professional lives that might be enhanced through visualisation?