In the context of personal protection, I find this highly relevant.
Never bring the problem solving stage into the decision making stage. Otherwise, you surrender yourself to the problem rather than the solution.
– Robert H. Schuller: American pastor, motivational speaker
From Nightingale-Conant
How does that apply to us?
“I’m going to shoot anyone I find in my house.” That’s repeated so much by gunowners, it has become a meme. It’s a perfect example of bringing problem solving (gunfire) into the decision process (how to best protect my home and, by extension, my family). As I bring up on a regular basis, doing so periodically results in Negative Outcomes.
We make many decisions ahead of time, and that’s generally a good thing. What we have to be careful of is thinking like a hammer in search of a nail.
tacticalprofessor 
Saying that, “I WILL shoot ANYONE that tries to enter my house without my permission” is almost flirting with “premeditation” – unless you establish during the decision-making process that their ACTIONS, not merely their presence, present a potentially lethal threat, and you subsequently articulate the reasoning behind your use of deadly force accordingly…
Reblogged this on Women and Guns.
Great post. It’s even suggested that the first thing you do when someone breaks into your house is to get out of the house. This saves anyone from getting hurt that wouldn’t need to be. I like Phil’s idea that it’s borderline premeditation to say that you will shoot someone who enters your home.
Well I totally agree with the author. The points he mentioned can be used to protect ourselves.