Enduring An Attack

When I'm attacked, my impulse is to attack back. I know it's my legal training, and maybe it's also my nature. At the very least it's a lifelong habit. Can you relate, or are you in the "flight" more than "fight" camp? Either way, what if the more effective thing to do is to learn to endure the attack? Not to give anything up or fail to be zealous, but also not to go straight for the jugular, or the exit door, at the first sign of trouble? Train the mind to be less reactive.