I'm a fraud. 

Thank you all for the great feedback and comments of solidarity! You are the reason we are able to do what we do at Eisei-en.

Self doubt is natural. Publishing a video to confess it - especially when you're one of the leading figures in this art - now that's brave. Keep your aims high and ... enjoy parenthood, it goes by quicker you can imagine!!!!

I've known you for several years now. Good things happen to good people Bjorn. You're the farthest thing from an imposter. You work hard and are kind and patient with people. Your skill set is world class and yet your humble. You are a professional in everyway. Best always.

I'm a neuroradiologist and have felt like this my entire life... The very best doctors / surgeons I surround myself with have this exact same mindset. You are obviously extremely adept in your skills with bonsai; while maintaining your humble approach and thirst for improvement which is essential for continual growth, too much self doubt can negatively effect your mindset in certain circumstance long term! I've been through the 'self depreciating' phase myself, but now feel super content acknowledging that I have a super niche level of competence in my field, yet am able to seek advice and learn from those around me no matter what stage of the journey they are on. Be proud of yourself and your level of knowledge!! Be grateful of the luck you have had along the way, but also remind yourself of the sacrifice, hard work and endless hours you have put in to your craft!

This happens to everyone on the way up and who holds morals. Keep climbing and remember those that do “know it all” just realized everyone else felt the way you do now and took advantage of that fact.

It's that constant self doubt that drives some of us to a higher level of chasing perfection.

Thank you for your honesty. My former teacher put it to me this way..."how did I know when I was ready to teach? When people asked me"...

I have been working at the same job for 28 years and people look up to me like I am the best but I have the same feelings you do. I learn new things from the newcomers. Never stop learning, stay humble and do what you do best which is bonsai. You are amazing Bjorn!

What you describe is exactly why I practice gratitude. It is the healthy alternative to pride.

Watching this tells me 2 things about you. You are humble and you have integrity

Hi Bjorn, I have followed a very similar path as you in a different art form and have become a professor. I dont usually make any comments on RU-vid, in fact this is my first, but I felt compelled. As a teacher when I first started I had this exact fear constantly and would try and think of the best answer even if I knew there were some aspects that weren’t perfect. I had lots of anxiety about not knowing everything. I learned to say “I don’t know let’s learn together”to a student. Helping a student learn how to learn maybe more important than the knowledge alone. Learning together and helping them understand the process of figuring things out is vital. No one knows everything, and we can learn something from anyone. You are a great influence on my bonsai practice and I enjoy your content, mostly because of you. Your style and delivery and personality is the type of conduit I enjoy to learn my bonsai information. Thanks. Keep it up.

I am not an English native speaker, so I will do my best to express myself. Do forgive the awkward phrases and mistakes. Syndrome is a word used to describe a series of sinals and syntoms of a disease. Nowadays, several aspects of our life are being framed on diseases and syndromes. But, in my point of view, these are just regular aspects of life. I love the comparison with parenthood because it is very similar and precise in every single aspect. I am a medical doctor, and this "impostor" feeling is overwhelming. Specially because if it is true, you would be a horrible source of harm. That is why we keep on studying, trying to do our best every single moment. But, one shall not let this "impostor" feeling halt the effort of improvement. One shall recognize that, the more you know about a subject, the more you recognize how vast that subject is. And may seems impossible to get all the learning done. About the feeling of "being luck". I am religious, and I believe in God. That said, I actually believe that, we may be guided somehow, "inspired" maybe a better word.... but this may be polemic to discuss. Nevertheless, I know that you don't seek for audience or words of support. But that feeling is a real thing, and we have two options: (1) be afraid and give up; (2) be afraid and improve. In the journey to perfection, we have to learn to deal with our imprefection. And, even knowing that we may never reach perfection, we shall keep seeking it in order to our personal improvement. The Japanese has an expression: Wabi sabi, thay might help us to seek perfection accepting the imperfections. I hope that I have make some sense in my words. I have to say that when some "expert" souds too proud or secure, I often doubt his expertise. I see in you the restless feeling that promotes study and self development. Keep up, and go on. When we feel that "impostor" feeling take it as a good feeling. Turn that energy of doubt into effort of beig better. A better bonsaist, a better person, a better father, a better husband. Life is a neverending sequence of apprenticeships, we are always students. Take care.

Anyone with professional pride in what they do, who are bright and conscientious have doubts and feel imposter syndrome. And in many cases those we look up to and admire are putting on a front and feel the same doubts. Being good at what you do isn’t about being able to talk illegible word salad. It is to your credit that your delivery is clear, concise, understandable and often profoundly beautiful. Thank you for sharing your journey, your bonsai knowledge, your ethos. Keep growing as a person and keep doing what you are doing. 🙏

Absolutely can relate to this. Both professionally as an eye doctor, as a parent, and as a person trying to learn the deep craft of bonsai. I had a professor tell me something I think about a lot that helps: As long as you know even a little more than the person you are trying to help you can be useful. Trust your knowledge and share it. AND YOU’RE FUCKING AWESOME AND MAKE RAD TREES!!!

knowing you don't know is a good thing. good motivation to keep learning and staying humble.

Bjorn, your insights into the amazing art are invaluable! I think we all feel like a fraud no matter our profession, imposter syndrome affects us all, especially the ones who feel like we don't belong. Maybe you feel this way not being traditionally Japanese, but that shouldn't matter when it comes to art. Your videos are splendid, and your information is a gem. Thanks!

I have a neurological disease ... and because of what I have learned from you I have six trees in my balcony ... so I can only say ... Bjorn, thank you.

Thoroughly inspired by your art, and content Bjorn. Grateful for your generosity in sharing it all with us.

Excellent video Bjorn! Mistakes are all apart of the learning process 😀I dont think anyone will be able to know absolutely everything about Bonsai in one lifetime. However, if we teach to the best of our ability with the knowledge that we believe to be correct: that is the best we can do! Keep up the great work man!

Not only do you show a fabulous depth of knowledge but your ability to teach it is as amazing a talent. You use your gifts well.

These videos that you shoot - the soul is visible in them. And of course, I would like to wish you strength and energy so that we can continue to enjoy you work and art! Thank you!

Walt Whitman said it best in his poem O Me O Life. His answer. That life exists. And identity. You are contributing a verse to the powerful play Bjorn. Much appreciated and inspiring.

Bjorn.... I feel this, and I see you. This is one of the reasons I follow you. I have felt since your Vlog days that you are an honest person, and that you love sharing your knowledge and experience, not because you think you are better or smarter, but because you love this art and want to live it and share it. It comes across in your content. Keep being you, and remember we ALL are faking it til we make it 👍

You are the best! 33 years in bonsai and you got the touch needed to teach. Ryan talks down to people like everyone is 5 years old or ignorant.

You are a genuine man. Honorable and honest. You are a master artist of the philosophy of bonsai. It is reflected in every video you make.

Hard work is a major factor in the creation of luck. You've earned your black belt-which my sensei said meant that I now knew enough to start really learning. You're doing great. FWIW: I'd LOVE to see a video of your five biggest screw ups. What were the lessons? How did those mistakes help you grow?

"Imposter syndrome" is fairly common . You do well and provide great content .

Carry on as you are Bjorn, you are admired and respected by so many people. I love your videos and your work and have learnt so much from you. I’ve just bought 2 junipers as nursery stock this afternoon, it is from you alone that I’ve figured out ( all be it by my amateur understanding) what to do with a juniper . You’re recent trio of videos on shohin juniper have been so valuable to me and no doubt thousands of other people. It’s a low time of year my friend, even though it’s Christmas many are feeling the January blues already. Exercise is important, keep training and keep in shape. Being a man of few words is what makes you so watchable, no nonsense easy to digest information that is not giving the impression at all of trying to be somebody you are not. Sending man hugs from the UK my bonsai brother. Chin up old chap 👍🏻

You are great man! no need to worry about it.

Epiphany’s come in all shapes and sizes, you are here because it’s what you wanted, and you had a massive hand up in the process by being open to those of us who watched you and In many cases learned the most from you on RU-vid where bonsai videos were scant at best. Good job man. You’ve made it

This one hits really close to home. I know the feeling all too well. Ever since I started working I've had the privilege to work with people who were so knowledgeable and just knew so much and I couldn't help but compare myself to them. I would hear all these foreign words, applications, tools and so on (I work in IT btw).. so much information I thought I was supposed to know but didn't and it would destroy my self-confidence, I felt so dumb so often that I can honestly say that for a solid year I was going to work feeling like it would probably be my last day there and that I was getting away with not knowing for so long that my luck was probably gonna run out soon and my bosses and colleagues had probably figured out that I was an idiot and didn't belong there. I was as you said "afraid to be found out". In retrospect, and as sad as it is to say, that was probably the biggest driving force for my career, that constant fear and anxiety was not good for my overall health but I grew so much and so quickly because of it. I got home from work and I would go study for certifications or spend my weekends trying to figure stuff out and studying. It humbled me a lot too. I stil feel that way sometimes. You're not alone Bjorn. Ultimately your ambition to understand your craft with great depth and this fear that stems from you realising that there's much more to learn will surely make you a great Bonsai artist and expert.

Your work speaks for itself. And with that I don not only mean the Bonsai you have created and continue to create. I also mean your work as a teacher / mentor / businessman. However, I can really relate to the feeling you have... I work in the music industry both as a musician and an educator and often question myself /ask myself questions like: "why would anyone ask me about anything when there is a TON of other people out there that play just as good or better". I think this character trait has both good and bad sides. Of course it can be a real drag to always have these nagging questions. But on the other hand it will keep you going, learning and improving. And it will also keep you humble - and in general, over a long course of time people tend to prefer having someone who stays humble as their mentor.

What you are experiencing is common, especially in my career field. Imposter syndrome is real and sometimes career shattering. Just remember that these people who you are surrounded by people you admire, or people who have these incredible positions in life have invited you into their life. You earned this. Luck is what you make it. Keep your head up.

I feel the same way every day with my mlm business. Through the years, I’ve slowly learned to speak to my brain and say “you are a work in progress!” and “you are enough!”

Imposter syndrome is really common in all creative fields. I'm an artist and have had the same challenge. It doesn't matter how many years pass, I always think that I will be "found out" someday. I always compare myself to the great artists and wonder how I could expect to be like them. Just trust yourself and know that what you do matters.

I read today that the highest human act is to inspire. You can’t fake inspire people. You’ve dedicated your life to this craft and that’s what draws people to your work. Keep it up. 🌱🙏🏻

That feeling shows all the respect you have for bonsai. I feel just the same as a farmacist I know very very little about anything at all, just because there’s inmensity of knowledge out there. Stay like u are. I watch u from Spain many years ago. Keep doing what u are doing. U are great

This video solidifies why you are BY FAR my favourite bonsai professional that I follow and watch! Thank you for all the incredible content that you share in a format that is an absolute pleasure to watch. I believe that you are firmly in charge of your own success!! All the best to you and your family in the New Year.

Those who are most capable, aware and intelligent are haunted by uncertainty, while those who do not have those attributes are often the most confident. I have long admired your work, which speaks of your great skill and commitment. Your uncertainty will likely persist; you will have to live with it, but I, for one, see you as a master. Sending love.

I think the biggest thing you learned through this whole process is to stay humble and never quit learning.

Your the most humble person I know in the bonsai world. Thank you for everything you do. It not luck that you in this position.

Hi Bjorn, this is totally recognizable for me. I have my own business for almost six years now. Ik work as a communication trainer. And I often find myself thinking "when is this going wrong? When will the day come that my trainings fail and everybody finds out that I've no idea what I'm doing?". Up until now, that day hasn't arrived, but that doesn't stop me having these thoughts every now and then. And you now, lots of people have this. You are absolutely not alone. Maybe look at it this way: you know the term ZEN-mind, beginners-mind? That roughly says that no matter how much experience you have, encounter everything as if you have never seen or done this. It makes sure that you are always in the moment and never take anything for granted. You keep your eyes open and you keep learning. And it ensures that you don't become arrogant, which is not a bad thing. ;) So, maybe don't make a problem of this, but embrace it. And it's not luck that brought you here. It's dedication, damn hard work and taking risks that others do not. You have earned it bigtime! Hope this helps. Best wishes for 2023 and take care!

I’ve been trying to understand how imposter syndrome works too. I’m amazed that despite having a lot of experience and understanding of something (what I KNOW about myself logically), that there are plenty of times when I deeply FEEL like an idiot or an imposter about whatever it is. Just like I do with any other intense feeling , I try to remain mindful, while still allowing myself to feel those feelings until they pass. But I recently learned some interesting things about why those feelings actually occur. And that’s been really helpful when I’m in the midst of feeling like an imposter: 1. When a person doesn’t know anything about a topic, it is natural for a person to feel like it isn’t that complicated, and to feel like they probably know a lot about how it would work. 2. As a person learns more about a topic, they start to see how much more complicated it was than they thought. This makes a person increasingly know things that they don’t know. And that increasing awareness of the number of facets that are at play naturally tends to make the person feel LESS KNOWLEDGEABLE, not more knowledgeable. 3. As a person keeps advancing their learning, they start to meet experts that are more knowledgeable about even the facets of the topic than they are. This naturally can lead to feelings of being NOT AT ALL LIKE AN EXPERT themselves as they meet more and more of these people over time. 4. And in combination with the above, the vast amount of knowledge that the person has built over time starts to fade for the person. The knowledge itself doesn’t fade - but THE CONSCIOUS AWARENESS of their knowledge fades. At that point, much of the deep understanding that the person acquired over time becomes so ingrained that the person loses site of it because it is automatic now - like breathing. For example, you prune a bonsai, and you are no longer necessarily mulling over all of the myriad choices you have and actions you are taking. 5. Because by then the habitual nature of the knowledge expresses itself without conscious struggle and decision making like it did in the past, and the pruning just flows, it can then start to feel like one is LOSING SKILLS, because of the lack of awareness in decision making and the more intuitive nature that has taken its place can make the process seem almost absent-minded. 6. And once it is so “like breathing” to the person; once the amount of knowledge is so vast and so intuitive, then it can even begin to be difficult to explain things concisely when teaching other people. - In the step #4 (or so) of the learning process the person has a handful of “go to” steps to consider. And those can be easily rattled off to someone who is earlier in the knowledge building process. But by this stage, it’s no longer a list of “ABC”. When someone asks what “you would do”, it’s more like, “well I see that this feature is like this, and that feature is like that, and then this is the season we’re in right now, and it’s been unusually dry this year for this season, and…” By the time all of that knowledge is brought forward consciously, it can be difficult to quickly cull it down to the thing’s to tell them that are appropriate to that person’s stage in the learning. OR, if those things are SPOKEN instead of just being thoughts, often the other person starts to glaze over and disconnect because it is getting overwhelming. So by then it can easily begin to feel like you must not know much because you can’t even adequately CONVEY knowledge to others. Anyway, I’ve prattled on enough now. But I hope that some of that will be helpful to you or someone else. 🙂

Impostor syndrome shows up quite frequently in people who are breaking into a socioeconomic class above their own, such as those who are the first in their family to attend college or marry into the socioeconomic class above the one they were born and raised. I've experienced it as has my best friend. We were both born into blue-collar, working class families and leveled up (myself into high-tech and my friend into medicine). It's a form of low self-esteem and fear of being judged as 'not enough' by peers and superiors of the new environment we find ourselves in. You've put in the hard work and the mileage to get to where you are now. Be proud of your accomplishments! You are amazing!

I read a quote recently that said something like “nobody really knows what they’re doing. Some do it anyways.”

I felt like this just this morning, it's partly having expectations that you don't believe you're meeting. Have some sleep and tomorrow is a new day.

Hi Bjorn, I’ve been following your videos and admiring your achievements in bonsai for a long time, silently as I’m also a bit introvert. I’d like to tell you that what you describe is called impostor syndrome and it affects many people. Most PhD I know - including myself - have suffered/are suffering from it… I reconciliate with the unfathomable by thinking that a real incompetent would not doubt his own competence and would rather be judgy. As a passionate and mostly incompetent bonsai hobbits I can tell you that your work is really inspiring, I’m sorry you feel like that but I hope you’ll continue with what you do as you’re like a bright light shining. Thank you!

I have the same feeling every day. I think self doubt creeps in when you realize the responsibilities you’ve created. You’re on the threshold of going from great to greater. Happy New Year!

Congratulations on following your heart and believing in yourself as getting to where you are has taken that along with learning, skill and patience. Although new to your channel I have zero doubt you do know what you are talking about. Keep up the great work.

Yes, luck is a component of success but I think it is also a skill or talent to recognize good luck, like being in the right place at the right time, when it is staring us in the face and to act on it. Your videos and work are great.

Many blessings to you, Bjorn! I enjoy your work and will continue to do so whenever you share it with us.

I started watching your channel in 2018/19 . You and Nancy have come so far and should be so proud of what you's have achieved and what you have taught people all around the world about Bonsai!! Cheers and Have a happy new year 2023

Looking forward to our spring classes Bjorn!

This is a great video. Speaks a lot to your character. I think this is everyone that’s really good at something .

This syndrome is a gift to my opinion....it is more towards spiritual journey that brings you to this moment of exposing yourself...I have been following your videos since you were in Japan, reason is due to your sincerity and passion towards what you do....this is my first comment...thanks for being the right person that I have been following to be my Bonsai guru...this video just gave me stamp of approval to myself...keep going man....

Hi Bjorn, the fact that you recognise these thoughts mean you are well on the way to training your head into not needing to worry! Stand back and look at what you have created and continue to do. It is high art! Having children also flicks some strange switch in our heads that takes another whole load of learning! You are doing amazing work and bringing true bonsai to the US and the world. We are all individuals, you can't be anybody else and you are making the best of you. Keep making banging trees and things will work out alright I'm sure.

I have learned so much things about bonsai thanks to you, I started 3 years ago and you’ve helped me ao much. At the end you have to look back and see all the things you have accomplished all thanks to your hard work. Keep it up! Bonsai gives you peace, and harmony, keep trying and enjoy your life!🙏🏼 blessings!

Love your content. Great video and reflection and a significant step towards letting go of imposter syndrome! ❤️🙏🏽

you're doing your thing in the most perfect way and you are one of the most trusted voices out there on the subject, not to mention superior video content

Success= skill (acquired through hard work) + luck + timing. You have all three, plus the advantage of knowing what you want in life from an early age. Kudos!

I get this a lot in my industry. I think the older you get the more you understand just how much your words and actions affect the course and direction of others. Especially when you notice the passage of time flowing faster with each day, you forget just how much there still is to learn in your field.

Happens to people when they succeed and also when they fail.

You’re more relatable and reachable than another certain active person on social media and RU-vid , and you’re content is better and your head isn’t stuck up your ass. Keep it real Bjorn , you’re valued

Dear Bjorn, I walk in the same shoes and sometimes i am screaming in my head from the panic. BUT! I take a deep breath and let the voices calm down and i do my best what i can do. About you and your channel. I've started bonsai about 6-7 years ago. I watched all your videos and i am here to tell you EVERY MINUTE IS GOLD! I have learned so much and nowadays i have 52 bonsai trees. I am very proud because from nursery i have bought only 4 . So many thanx. And keep up the teaching. AND BREATH. Greetings. :)

Amazing work. Keep doing you because you have an incredible talent. Thanks for passing along your knowledge.

No one can access luck without handwork and persistence. Bad luck is just the inaction perpetuated by an individuals inability to see past their current situation.

Love your content for many years Bjorn. Just keep going. Happy 2023!

Online thing I can do is tell you that you contributed to my knowledge of bonsai in a tremendous way. Please keep on doing what your doing. Have a good 2023.👍👍

Your the whole reason I got into Bonsai and your videos have refreshed my interest time and time again. Hang in there.

Everything I’ve ever seen from this channel has always been well thought out,professional and very beautiful. Keep it up.

The seed of personal growth is to be aware of everything that we still have to learn,so I think that you are on the right track. I wish you the best Bjorn !!

Happy new year Bjorn! Thank you for all the experience and information you have had of this art and for bringing it available to all of us! Keep on making these videos, we are here and ready for them 💚💚💚

Your original blog series is what got my best mate into bonsai , then after seeing his trees he got me into it , so its a trickle down affect but I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you bro 🙏 your the man !

That imposter syndrome weighs heavy on me at times. I am a licensed professional counselor here in Michigan and I work with combat veterans for their post traumatic stress. At the same time I am also a combat veteran dealing with my own post traumatic stress. At times I think who am I to talk to this person about their problems when I am struggling with my own problems. Thankfully, I have a good mentor and I can see the changes in the clients I talk to. But that still doesn’t stop the feelings from coming up every once in a while of being a hypocrite. What I like to say to my clients, as well as to myself, is what I’m feeling based off fact or is it based off feeling. That has helped me and my clients through a lot.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful video. I feel like we all at one point of our lives we end up feeling like that. You are an amazing Master

Your humility always shines through. You are consumate plantsman, with all the natural insecurities of a truly honest person. It's always a joy listening to you and watching your vidoes. Thanks for posting them. Because of your channel, I started a small "bonsai culture" with my adult children. When they come from overseas for spring or summer visits (we're in northern Italy), we always gather around a table with piles of wires and clippers and spend some of the most memorable moments together. Your videos are most often our guidelines. My sincerest thanks.

You are not alone. I feel it every day. It’s what drives us to be better. Trust in your self and trust in the process.

thanks for the videos and techniques, being an aspiring bonsai creator myself i learned almost every thing i know from you! i hope everything is well in Kyoto!

You are an inspiration. Don’t ever stop

I have been doing Bonsai in the states for 50 years, I have followed all the American, Bonsai artists and watched all the RU-vid videos and done workshops all across the country. Not only are yours the best, your classes, the way, you set them up, your videos, especially the way you teach, you are number one in my book. Your dedication to Bonsai is inspiring! And the frosting on the cake is your humility and wondering, are you really such an expert! We all go into our careers, wondering the same thing. But what you have given to us, and will continue to give makes you a saint in my eyes!

thank you for being so transparent! imposter syndrome is a reality for many creatives and shows your humility. don’t sweat it man ❤

Keep doing what you're doing man. Your videos/instructions are easier to understand than most of the other experts.

You are one of the best love watching your stuff ,loved all your japanese blogs and every thing since keep on keeping on.

You are an artist, an inspiration and loved by people who love bonsai

Bjorn, have a good start into 2023 and do not worry to much. You do a great job and you are a nice person. Next beer is on me when you come to germany ✌🏻

You are doing a very good job! Even from afar you seam very correct with your statements, kind and with a lot of knowledge

Keep doing what you are doing. Its always nice to watch your work and your bonsai look great 🙂

You’re an inspiration and motivator to many. It’s refreshing to see you’re just as human as the next guy.

Thank you so much for this video ... I started doing bonsai in college in the 1970, took a long sabbatical and have gotten back into working with bonsai. The whole time, I have doubted myself (especially when I see the work of masters like yourself), but so enjoy it and just keep doing it. I keep waiting on someone to ask me what the heck I'm doing! Your videos have help me tremendously and it was a real pleasure visiting Eisei-en Bonsai and getting to meet you personally this past summer. Keep up the good work and I will keep watching and learning from you and your videos!

Sir, You have a pure heart and that communicates in all that you do. I have been following you for several years now. Trust in yourself. Your sharing is much appreciated. I live in Cincinnati, OH and look forward to visiting at some time in the future when Covid and such has quieted down.

The great thing about your situation is that you took us with you on your journey. We watched you grow, observed your work ethic that is driven by passion and you got better right before our eyes. We understand very well how you got there, it is earned through effort and it is well deserved. Greetings from Germany

You got there from dedication, hard work and love for the art of bonsai.

Bjorn, welcome to the club!! If you did not have those feelings, if you didn't doubt your right to be a father, you wouldn't be human. As males, trained in our culture, we seem to suffer from these doubts and fears as much as any human. I hadn't heard the term "imposter syndrome" until after I turned 60. It came to me as a great relief that others felt the same and I might worry less about being "found out".

Humility is a good trait. (The New Yorker last month had an interesting article about Ryan Neil, and his “brutal” apprenticeship to Masahiko Kimura, whom didn’t seem to lack confidence.)

6:35 Thanks for the "snow flowers"! We don't see much of them on Maui... Great camera work, as always. Bjorn, your humility speaks volumes, but your talent and your open mind also speak at least as loudly. There are artists and other human beings who are so self-assured, and never experience a moment of self doubt (I'm certainly not one of them.), but I think at least some of them (maybe more) might be narcissists, egoists, or sociopaths. Hearing you speak this frankly about your own self-doubt is reassuring. As we falter and stumble through life, we might also take time to lend a hand to others who are on the same path, even as we are helped along by others. If everyone who never had a moment of self-doubt were actually infallible, there would be many more popes in the world.

Amazing to know that someone as brilliant and multitalented as Bjorn ever feels this way. Bjorn, you are the man, and don't you ever forget it! I feel blessed to know you.

Thanks for sharing Bjorn, and thank you for all you do! I discovered your videos on RU-vid a few years back your content has been a huge inspiration for me. With almost 20 trees now, I'm not sure what I'd do without your wisdom and guidance via Bonsai-U. Having co-founded a software business 10 years ago, I can definitely relate to the imposter syndrome and feelings of doubt, especially for the first 2-3 years. It's funny how our minds can play tricks on us. From my experience, just leaning into the work, aiming high and achieving goals, as well as spending lots of time talking to and helping clients, the feeling tends to fade over time. The more you can immerse yourself in the value you're bringing to people's lives and truly see it for what it is, the more your heart and mind cannot deny it, despite your mind's best efforts to make you feel like it's not there or that it's just luck :) You're an amazing guy, Bjorn, with world class skill in something that captivates people. Keep doing what you do!

Happy New Year to you and those you love. It's wonderful to have skill, luck, and opportunity! We all keep coming back to you because of the beautiful things that you do with skill, luck and opportunity.

This may sound like doubt to some people. To me it was humbleness. I think most people are gonna experience this feeling, but still, you have an amazing collection that speaks for itself. You give your time and knowledge to the community and I thank you. You're the farthest away from being a fraud.

I always watch your videos. Love the content you post. I learn a lot. Thanks ❤