The ‘Animedoro’ Method Can Make You More Productive and Give You More Downtime

The Pomodoro Technique is one of the most established and often recommended productivity methods, praised for its effectiveness and simplicity: it combines time for deep work with periods of reward, and the mixture proves effective for many because deep work And breaks are two crucial elements in getting things done.

Pomodoro’s popularity has also inspired offshoots that echo its philosophies, and one of these might be particularly appealing if you like to relax after completing a task by watching TV. It’s called “animedoro,” and if the name reminds you of Japanese anime, there’s a reason why.

What is the animedoro productivity method?

Animedoro was created by a medical student named Josh Chen, who four years ago uploaded a video explaining how, in four months, he was able to study 600 hours while watching 300 hours of anime. Simply put, his technique is a variation of the Pomodoro method, which involves working for 25 minutes, taking a break for five minutes, and working for another 25 minutes, and so on. The original Pomodoro program calls for a longer break after the fourth work session, but after animedoro you’ll change things up a bit. Using Chen’s model, you’ll work for 40 to 60 minutes at a time, then take a 20-minute break to watch an episode of a TV show (or whatever you want to do to reset).

In this way, animedoro is similar to flow timewhich is a technique in which you spend time determining exactly what work/break ratio is right for you. Although Pomodoro is widely considered the best option, since you get small breaks and plenty of time to focus and work, no method is one-size-fits-all. It may be that in order to achieve a deep working stateyou must do more than 25 minutes of effort. It could also be that five minutes of downtime to scroll through your phone or refill your drink just isn’t enough to motivate you. Animedoro is a good option in both cases, as it gives you longer periods of time to study or work, as well as more involved break periods.

But as I said, this method was conceptualized by an ordinary student, someone who is no different from you or me. Pomodoro was also founded by a student named Francisco Cirillo. Like Chen and Cirillo, you can change the schedule of your work sessions and breaks until you find exactly what works for you. I recommend using a productivity timer app, like FocusPomo, because you can set different lengths of work sessions. If the times suggested here do not suit you, make your own choice. Planning and committing to your work and your breaks is valuable, so don’t give up if 25 hours on and five hours off isn’t enough.

How to try the animedoro method

As with the traditional Pomodoro technique, the real key to success is using your work periods effectively. Knowing you have 20 minutes with your favorite show on the horizon can be a good motivator, as long as you can stick to the work plan without distractions during the 40 or 60 minutes of focus time. Put your phone aside, don’t check any other tasks or notifications, and immerse yourself fully in the one thing you need to do. (This is where an app like FocusPomo shines, because it will stop you from using other apps as soon as you start a focus session.) Now is not the time to multitask: choose one activity and focus solely on it for the entire work period. After an episode of Blue-eyed samurai, you can select a different task in your next 40-60 minute slot.