Because of my brain injury, I’m a big fan of making progress. I learned after my accident progress is measured in baby steps. For a T.B.I survivor every baby step is a huge victory.

As 2020 forges ahead, most people have set goals they want to reach by the end of the year. A popular theme this year is the “debt-free decade” movement. We know we don’t become debt-free overnight, but through the process of lifestyle changes that help us cut back on weekly expenses. Each penny saved helps us get closer to the goal of being debt-free.

Others are more concerned about their health and are taking steps to improve their lives through daily healthy choices: eating healthier, drinking more water and fewer sodas, and being more active.

But, before anyone can begin the journey to debt-freeness or improving their health, we must first understand where we’re at. A lot of banks offer financial assessment tools for new account holders and most gyms give health assessments to new members. It’s also why we get annual physicals.

When I started rehabilitation, I had to go through a series of exams to assess my abilities. Tests ranged from cognitive to visual and physical activities.

These tests were embarrassing to me at times. I was in my early 20s and didn’t want to think anything was wrong with me. It wasn’t until I walked into a doorjamb during a physical therapy session that I realized the need for these tests. It’s pretty standard for brain injury survivors to go through a series of comprehensive exams.

• Speech and language tests – a speech pathologist evaluates a patient’s speech and language skills, this includes monitoring the patient’s strength and coordination of muscles that control speech {personally I spoke monotone during this test.}
• Cognitive and neuropsychological tests – the processes of thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, information processing, and memory.
• Physical and ambulatory deficit – the patient’s ability to function physically {I was in a wheelchair for about a month after entering rehabilitation and I couldn’t wheel myself.}

Assessment tests are fairly standard within the writing community as well. If you decide to pursue writing as a professional career, more than likely you’ve already taken your share of writing assessments. As writers, we need to know our strengths for many reasons: understanding, training and career focus are just a few reasons to assess your writing skills.

Assessments?

Schools use different assessments to test a student’s strengths.

Before non-native English speaking students enter college, they have their English skills tested through the TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language. The test assesses foreign nationals’ mastery of English in four areas (reading, writing, speaking, and listening.)

Colleges require students to take English assessment tests upon being accepted. The assessments help place students in the classes at the appropriate level for their understanding. These tests assess punctuation, grammar, organization and other areas of the writing craft.

When I entered a professional writing program, my first instructor had a unique way of judging my writing capabilities. I’ve shared before of a lesson I learned the hard way.

Upon receiving my acceptance and introductory packet, I hastily emailed my instructor to introduce myself and hit the send button without stopping or missing a beat.

A few days later I received her reply and was heartbroken. She told me she didn’t believe I was ready for the program and needed to go back to school and take some remedial English classes and I was promptly kicked out of the program.

Later, I opened my assignment workbook to find my first assignment was to email my instructor and introduce myself. The problem was I didn’t know and never proofread my email.

I quickly contacted the head of the program and explained my story. Jerry B. Jenkins decided to give me a second chance, but offered some sage advice. “From now on you have to think of yourself as a professional writer. Everything you write needs to be proofread and edited, even if it’s only a letter to your sweetheart.”

This assessment of my skills has turned me into the ferocious self-editor I am. Although I still make mistakes, I am determined to find them and have them corrected.

The incident in the hospital taught me to pay attention to my surroundings, focus and avoid distractions. I believe these now have become my strengths. Living with a disability has given me limitations, but I’ve learned to use my strengths.

Hitting a doorjamb showed me where I needed to start.

Where to start?

Most people will start fitness routines because they know their health isn’t where they want it to be, they know their weaknesses already.

Unfortunately, they don’t know where to start. When I’m working out at the gym I always tell people that a healthy lifestyle starts at home. That’s where to start if you want to get stronger. Below are four basics you can work on at home to improve your health.

• Better nutrition: Eating healthy is only part of a healthy lifestyle.
• Hydration: Drinking less coffee and sodas doesn’t substitute for drinking more water.
• Sleep: No one can make up for lack of sleep; I cannot overemphasize the importance of sleep.
• Stay active: You don’t need a gym membership to be active, get going and keep moving, no excuses.

Knowing where to start can help our writing also, because writing is more than just sitting down and spewing words on a page. Preparation is the starting point; this involves research and studying, time management and goals. I’ve shared before my writing process, now it’s time for you to know your strengths.

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at Spiritual Perspectives of Da Single Guy and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.