Mystified by right-click editor popup psielement selection

So, sorry for being ignorant despite reading forum/doc/code but what is the CORRECT method to identify the psielement you right-click on for an action popup? I use this:

PsiElement element = CommonDataKeys.PSI_ELEMENT.getData(e.getDataContext());

and I've used the "get offset mechanism" as well:

int offset;
Point mousePosition = editor.getContentComponent().getMousePosition();
if ( mousePosition!=null ) {
   LogicalPosition pos = editor.xyToLogicalPosition(mousePosition);
   offset = editor.logicalPositionToOffset(pos);
}
else {
   offset = editor.getCaretModel().getOffset();
}
PsiElement el = file.findElementAt(offset);

The values for the above for repeated update() calls seem to vary within a SINGLE right click. It starts out where the cursor is (not where I right click) the first call to update(). Then, update() is called again with a new event as I move the mouse down to select the menu item to ultimately point at the target element.

The 

Point mousePosition = editor.getContentComponent().getMousePosition();

doesn't seem to be right as it changes as I move the mouse to activate the action.

Can someone please state exactly how update()/actionPerformed() are supposed to get the targeted psielement under where you right click? This should be easy I know but I can't find a method that works reliably. 

thanks!

Terence