Fun fact. I was thinking of responding with your second paragraph when reading the end of your first paragraph.

Top athletes attest to this just like us normal amateurs. You can almost never perform something new and difficult unless you can see yourself doing it in your mind. Practicing in your mind really helps.

https://skiracing.com/mental-imagery-is-your-most-powerful-prep-period-mental-training/

I do something similar before big negotiations, business meetings, and/or presentations. Yes, I close my eyes and ski in my mind. No one expects it. It really throws my negotiating partners off their game when I start Stevie Wonder-ing.