Heart Powers No. 28 of 28
They call it: Too much We call it
Spark Plug
Also known as enthusiasm.
The short version When something excites you, you light up, and you pull other people in with you.
Collected. 0 of 28.
Sounds like you?
- You talk about your new thing and your friends want to try it.
- You’re the first to say let’s do it, and you mean it.
- You cheer loudest for other people’s wins.
Why it’s a power
Your excitement pulls people in. When something lights you up, you don’t keep it to yourself. You talk about it, and people want in. That’s how clubs get started and how plans get off the ground.
People with ADHD name it more than almost anything else. Asked what’s good about their ADHD, 52 of 206 Dutch adults said “enthusiastic”. Only “creative” and “energetic” came up more.Source 1 In group interviews across five countries, energy and drive were among the strengths named most.Source 2
One limit to know about. When 400 adults rated themselves, the ones with ADHD didn’t rate their enthusiasm higher than other adults did.Source 3 No study has measured enthusiasm directly yet.Source 4
Lived experience
Enthusiasm is the third most named strength in a survey of adults with ADHD. In a comparison study they did not rate it higher than other adults did.
Where it shines
- Starting a team or a club
- Pitching an idea
- Teaching, coaching, hosting
The flip side
Big enthusiasm can run ahead of the plan, and it can drop fast when the new wears off. People who signed up for your excitement feel that.
Power-up: try this today
Tell one person today what you’re excited about and ask them to join you for the first step.
Say it to a kid
You’re like a sparkler. When you light up about something, everybody near you lights up too.
Where this comes from
- Schippers, L. M., Horstman, L. I., van de Velde, H., Rodrigues Pereira, R., Zinkstok, J., Mostert, J. C., Greven, C. U., & Hoogman, M. (2022). A qualitative and quantitative study of self-reported positive characteristics of individuals with ADHD. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 922788. Read it
- Mahdi, S., Viljoen, M., Massuti, R., Selb, M., Almodayfer, O., Karande, S., de Vries, P. J., Rohde, L., & Bölte, S. (2017). An international qualitative study of ability and disability in ADHD using the WHO-ICF framework. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 26, 1219-1231. Read it
- Hargitai, L. D., Laan, E. L. M., Schippers, L. M., Livingston, L. A., Fairchild, G., Shah, P., & Hoogman, M. (2025). The role of psychological strengths in positive life outcomes in adults with ADHD. Psychological Medicine, 55, e278. Read it
- Rafael, R. B., Jia, H., Rouel, M., Wootton, B. M., & Mitchison, D. (2026). Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)-Related Strengths in Adults: A Scoping Review. Journal of Attention Disorders, 30(10), 1207-1232. Read it