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A few months ago, I got the email every speaker dreams of.

A major corporation—one you’ve definitely heard of—wanted me to keynote their annual conference.

When I looked at the speaker lineup, my jaw dropped. Celebrities. Professional athletes. Names that make headlines.

And that’s where I was going to be, listed right alongside them.

For a moment, I felt like I’d made it. This was the stage I’d been working toward for years.

Then came the email exchange about logistics.

“Most of our speakers donate their time,” the organizer mentioned casually. “It’s really about the experience and branding opportunity.”

I paused.

Sure, that makes sense when you’re starting out. When any stage feels like a gift.

But I already had a brand. I already had experience. That’s literally why they called me.

Plus, I was pretty sure those celebrities and athletes weren’t speaking for “exposure.”

The Unreasonable Moment

Everything in me wanted to say yes immediately. To be grateful. To play it safe.

It felt risky to ask for payment—like I might blow the whole opportunity.

It felt ungrateful, especially when I thought about how badly I’d wanted moments like this just a few years ago.

It felt unreasonable.

Then I remembered one of my favorite quotes from George Bernard Shaw:

“Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world. Unreasonable people attempt to adapt the world to themselves. All progress, therefore, depends on unreasonable people.”

So I decided to be unreasonable.

I typed back: “I appreciate the opportunity, but my speaking fee is [X].”

I stared at the email for a full five minutes before hitting send.

Their response came two hours later: “Let me check with my team.”

Two days of silence. Then, another email.

Not only did they agree to pay my fee—they threw in a first-class ticket and a black car from the airport.

Why “Unreasonable” Works

Here’s what I learned: When you know your value and ask for it, you’re not being difficult. You’re being clear.

Reasonable people accept the world as it is. They take what’s offered and say thank you.

Unreasonable people? They see what could be and ask for it.

They don’t just adapt to the game—they change the rules.

Your Turn: Where Can You Be More Unreasonable?

Think about an area where you’ve been playing it too safe:

• That promotion you deserve but haven’t asked for
• The client who keeps adding scope without paying more
• The opportunity where you’re undervaluing yourself

What would happen if you stopped being “reasonable” and started being bold?

Drop this into ChatGPT: “Here’s a situation where I’ve been playing it safe: [insert situation]. How can I approach this more boldly to get the outcome I actually want?”

Remember This

Progress doesn’t come from following the script everyone else is reading.

It comes from writing your own.

So stop being reasonable. Start being unreasonable.

The world needs more people willing to ask for what they’re worth.

Stay Savage,

Terry

PS: The “unreasonable” people are the ones who change industries, build movements, and create the opportunities that “reasonable” people later wish they had. Which one are you going to be?

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