In regards to creating the content for Contentment is for Cows, shortcuts have become important to me.  The pages I am working on today will be uploaded to the comics web site in a few short weeks.  I do not ever want to be finishing pages to be uploaded the same day; hence the interest in shortcuts.

For a shortcut to be worth it it has to have three things.  1. The time/energy/cost saving must create value.  2.  The time/energy/cost that is cut cannot be noticeably missing in the end product.   3.  There is no loss of benefit from not participating in the missing step.

After years of driving to visit clients and family in a location two hours from my door, I discovered a shortcut that takes fifteen minutes off my travel time.  1.  Yes, there is value in saving 15 minutes of driving time.  2.  No one but myself knows I took the shortcut.  3.  I am not missing out on any spectacular views or other benefits by taking the shortcut.  On all three points, this shortcut is worth it. 

Recently, while working on a series of five pages, I tried shortening my process.  It did not pass the test of three benefits.  1.  I really did not save significant time or energy.  2.  Anybody paying attention to the pages will be able to spot the shortcut.  3.  If the first two points don’t apply, then there is no third benefit. 

If anything, taking this shortcut caused me some stress…  back to the long way round for this particular process.

New pages have been posted, with no shortcuts,  at www.contentmentisforcows.com 

Thanks for reading.  If you know anyone who would enjoy this blog and the comics, please share it forward.

Enjoy!