You’ve likely been told that managing stress or navigating tough moments comes down to “controlling your emotions.” But the truth is, emotions aren’t problems to solve. They’re part of being human.
What actually makes a difference—especially when the pressure’s on—is your ability to respond flexibly.
That means shifting perspective, staying grounded, and continuing to act in alignment with what matters to you, even when things feel messy, uncertain, or emotionally intense.
It’s called cognitive flexibility, and research shows it plays a critical role in everything from mental health and stress regulation to decision-making and relationship strength.
But cognitive flexibility isn’t something you either have or don’t. Like any skill, it can be strengthened.
That’s why we created a science-backed quiz to help you understand where you currently stand.
It’s called the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI)—adapted from a validated assessment used in psychological research. Your results will show you how well you currently navigate challenging thoughts and emotions, and whether your thinking patterns help or hinder your ability to move forward.
You’ll get:
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A personalized cognitive flexibility score
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An explanation of what your score means
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A solution-focused resource to help you take the next step
Whether you’re a leader navigating high-stakes decisions, a parent balancing emotion and presence, or someone just trying to stop spiraling in the middle of a hard day—this quiz can help you pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters.
Citation:
This self-assessment is adapted from the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), originally developed by Dennis & Vander Wal (2010) to assess individuals’ ability to think flexibly and shift perspectives in response to stress.
Dennis, J. P., & Vander Wal, J. S. (2010). The cognitive flexibility inventory: Instrument development and estimates of reliability and validity. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 34(3), 241–253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-009-9276-4
