Long long ago, a conservative columnist for the Orlando Sentinel, Charley Reese, wrote an article about it.
He said:
"The key to successful Gunfighting is to decide ahead of time that if it comes down to it, you or the other guy, you want to live, and you are going to shoot.
Then you shoot him while he's making up his mind."
How he arrived at that advice I have no idea, but I thought it summed it up pretty good, and I've carried it with me ever since.
I've decided.
One gun, carried the same way, longer than I care to remember, situational awareness.
Adrenaline is another can of worms, but between a lifetime of hunting, military, and 25 years in the fire service, I've had so many exciting things happen that I have a hard time getting up a decent gut clench anymore.
I know it will be different in an armed confrontation, but I've had a little insight into that to, and I like to imagine I will remain calm and think my way through it.