I think about process constantly.  I'm curious about the most efficient way to do almost anything i have to do.  It's the nerd in me.  Also, I get frustrated when I feel there is no way around a painstaking process without sacrificing the end result. 
Recording.
With every second that passes it becomes more plausible to record/produce, mix and master your own music.  With my last album I had three people do those jobs that specialize in those jobs, which is ideal...and time consuming, oh and can get expensive.  I recorded my album in 2006 and it took almost two years before it was prepared to be released. 

My question to you is, How much would you be willing to sacrifice sonically to get more music, more often from an artist you like? 

Does it damage the listener's idea of the song to let them in on the process(hearing the song in stages of development)?

I always love hearing the very first crappy demo of a song, with all the weird ideas that didn't make the cut.