Write Emails Like a Human: The Creator’s Shortcut to Sanity and Connection

A curated remix of Josh Spector’s one-sentence email wisdom, adapted for creators who’d rather make meaningful work than live in their inbox.

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It’s wild how something as ordinary as email can become a slow leak on your creative energy.

Not going to lie — I’ve limped into entire mornings trying to “clear the decks” before writing. And by the time I reached inbox zero (whatever that actually means), I felt emotionally depleted and mentally scattered.

If you’d like help getting to inbox zero, be sure to check out the additional resources at the end.

So when I came across Josh Spector’s list of 40 one-sentence email tips, I stopped mid-scroll and bookmarked it instantly.

Practical. Grounded. No fluff.

The kind of list that makes you laugh and flinch at the same time. If you’ve ever hit send and immediately second-guessed yourself (or didn’t hit send at all), this one resonates deeply.

Instead of pasting all 40, I’m remixing the ones that hit hardest, keeping in mind creators, solopreneurs and parentpreneurs who write, pitch, and build with our inboxes wide open.

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Email Isn’t Dead — But Your Boundaries Might Be

Let me start with this gem from Josh:

“The simplest way to get fewer emails is to send fewer emails.”

Whew. That one hits.

But if you’re a creator juggling collaborations, clients, and creative direction, it’s a reminder to stop over-explaining everything in one long, overworked message.

Keep it centered. Keep it clear. One intention per email.

Also: don’t treat your inbox like a to-do list in disguise. That constant refreshing?

It’s a sign of feeling ungrounded — and I’ve been there. This one helped me reclaim actual headspace:

“If you’re not working on email now, your inbox shouldn’t be open now.”

Truth is: if something’s genuinely urgent, they’ll text you, DM you, or — worst-case — show up. Email is for asynchronous exchange, not emergencies.

Understandably though, your miles may vary for work email situations and scenarios.

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Writing Emails Is Still Writing

This one clicked for me in a big way:

“The more your email sounds like you speak, the more effective it will be.”

We spend all this time trying to write with an authentic voice in our content — but then we email like we’re role-playing a “professional version” of ourselves.

Dial it back. Be genuine. Speak clearly.

And your subject line? It’s your headline. Own it.

“A good email with a bad subject line isn’t a good email.”

Same goes for cold emails and pitch requests:

“If you send a cold email, it better be about a hot opportunity.”

I laughed when I read that.

But it’s also a reminder to come in with clarity, not neediness. Respect the other person’s attention by making your purpose unmistakably clear.

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Inbox Anxiety Isn’t the Price of Admission

Here’s where it gets real. A few of Josh’s tips genuinely shifted how I relate to email.

“You don’t always have to reply.”

“There’s such a thing as being too available.”

For a long time, I thought instant replies were a sign of being engaged and dependable.

But if I’m honest, it was often rooted in feeling inadequate or needing to be seen as “on top of it.”

These days, I pause. I prioritize. I let things sit when they need to.

That’s not laziness, but self-respect. If you think about it, a great form of self-care.

And this one? Just three words:

“Just click send.”

So much second-guessing happens after the message is already clear. If it’s honest and considered, you’re done. No need to overanalyze tone or fret about nuance.

Hit send, and come back to yourself.

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Take What You Need — and Leave the Rest

That’s the beauty of Josh’s full list — it doesn’t demand perfection. It simply reflects reality. Some of it will sting. Some will liberate you. All of it is useful.

Here’s the full piece if you want to dive in:

40 One-Sentence Email Tips by Josh Spector

But dear reader, if even one of these helped you feel less overwhelmed or more grounded — if it reminded you that email is just a tool, not a trap — then that’s a huge win.

Take care of yourselves.

Matt

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Additional Resources

Tiago Forte’s One-Touch to Inbox Zero: This is one of my faves, and is a system I still implement to this day. If you’re more of a visual learner, he has a great companion YouTube video below: