The World Indoors champion competes in the pentathlon in Glasgow on Friday.
Johnson-Thompson is hunting a third senior title after last year's world victory in Birmingham and Commonwealth heptathlon triumph in Australia.
She also won silver at the European Championships in Berlin in August in a breakthrough year.
"I've always said I wanted to win medals. Last year was a huge turning point for me," she said, with the World Championships in Doha also starting in September.
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"I think I've figured out how to compete, instead of just thinking about certain marks that I have always wanted, or certain targets I wanted before I retire.
"I was just looking at winning medals. Hopefully this year I can stay on that wavelength and try do that again.
"I don't think I peak at the start of the year. The pentathlon is very suited to me. It involves two of my strongest events - it's two jumps, two runs and there's only one throw."
A move to Montpellier in 2017 to work under coach Bertrand Valcin has also been credited with Johnson-Thompson's form.
She said: "At the beginning of last year, and then at the Commonwealths, I couldn't show it.
"By the summer, I felt I was coming into my own. It's a shame my preparation was interrupted with the injury from the Commonwealth Games.
"This year, for sure, it's a long old season. It's depends on how you manage. I hope I can manage it in a good way, and I hope I can show all the progress I have made."
Johnson-Thompson and Nafi Thiam celebrate their medals at the European Championships (Getty) (Getty Images)
The 25-year-old is favourite for the title in Scotland, with Austria's Ivona Dadic and Holland's Anouk Vetter likely to be her biggest challengers.
But world, European and Olympic champion Nafi Thiam is out with a calf injury, leaving Johnson-Thompson disappointed.
"I was a bit sad when she pulled out. That's sport, with injuries, and she's more focused on the outdoor season," said Johnson-Thompson.
"I guess I have been in situations before where I've had to pull out of the indoors. I'm sad she's not there. I love competing against her. I love the battle of it. I think she brings out the best in me.
"She is not there but all I can do is be the best I can be. There are strong competitors in my field. It should be a good competition."
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