--- title: There are no shortcuts image: https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601789323-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20192aa317a5a970d-320wi.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/2013/05/there-are-no-shortcuts.html#maincontent) [ «  View All Posts ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog) # There are no shortcuts May 22nd, 2013 1 min read By [David Meerman Scott](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) ![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601789323-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20192aa317a5a970d-320wi.jpg?width=320&height=352&name=6a00d83451f23a69e20192aa317a5a970d-320wi.jpg) [![IMG_2130](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601789323-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20192aa317a5a970d-320wi.jpg "IMG_2130")](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20192aa317a5a970d-pi)**I'll tell you up front, it's not easy. ** If you want to do something worthwhile, you need to work at it. Many people ask me about writing a book. I've written 8 [books](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/books/) and each one was a tough slog. If you want to write nonfiction, you’ve got to research your topic, find an angle nobody else has, do a bunch of drafts, get feedback, do several rounds of edits, and more. Fiction is even tougher because your writing has to work on so many levels including conflict, characterization, dialog, setting, and much more. And that's only half of it. The other half is promoting your work so people find you and get interested in what you do. It's about building a platform years before your book's publication date by blogging, doing videos, speaking at conferences, reviewing books similar to the one you wrote, being social. **There are no shortcuts. ** "Diet and exercise." That’s what I tell people when they ask me how I dropped 50 pounds in a year. Most people stop there. Some probe for details and I usually say something like: "I eat very little starch and exercise every single morning." For most people that's enough. Unless someone is serious about getting fit themselves (or is already fit and interested in swapping stories) they really don't want to hear that there are no shortcuts. There is no magic pill, special machine, or secret diet. It is a lifestyle change. Very few people want to hear what it really takes. Paying attention to every single little thing that goes into your mouth and an average of 90 minutes of tough exercise every day with no excuses for things like being in a hotel room. **What are you doing now?** Are you looking for a new job? Starting a business? Beginning a blog or YouTube channel? Learning to paint? Preparing a TEDx talk? It's not easy. Nothing worthwhile is. But if you work hard you will be rewarded. One of the most difficult things I've ever done is learn to surf. I took it up with my daughter and she was a natural. But I wasn't. My balance stinks. I fell a thousand times before I felt even remotely comfortable. I'm not very good but I love it. It was totally worth the effort over several years. **Your effort will be worth it too. Don't try for shortcuts.** Welcome to Seth Godin readers who found this blog from [Seth's shout-out](http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2013/05/you-should-buy-the-book.html) this week. I typically post twice a week. [ David Meerman Scott ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) David Meerman Scott is a business growth strategist, advisor to clever entrepreneurs who are building emerging companies, and the international bestselling author of a dozen books published in 30 languages. David’s high-energy keynote presentations, masterclasses, and virtual events educate, energize, and inspire. Connect: [mailto:david@freshspot.com](mailto:david@freshspot.com) Topics: [ Personal branding ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/personal-branding) [ writing ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/writing) [ Best Practices ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/best-practices) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/L1330663-2.jpg?width=1500&height=967&name=L1330663-2.jpg) ### I’m a Senior Citizen Now—Try Catching Me March 25th, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/im-a-senior-citizen-now-try-catching-me) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DMS%20casual.jpg?width=3000&height=2001&name=DMS%20casual.jpg) ### My New Website, New Focus, and New Photos January 20th, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/my-new-website-new-focus-and-new-photos) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kenyon%20students.jpg?width=2086&height=1394&name=Kenyon%20students.jpg) ### The Future-Proof Value of a Liberal Arts Education in the Age of AI August 19th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-future-proof-value-of-a-liberal-arts-education-in-the-age-of-ai) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Flax%20Dental.jpg?width=1540&height=1058&name=Flax%20Dental.jpg) ### The Simple Professional Services Website Makeover That Creates Fans August 11th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-professional-services-website-makeover-that-creates-fans) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Creating%20a%20Personal%20Website%20for%20Success.jpg?width=1536&height=1024&name=Creating%20a%20Personal%20Website%20for%20Success.jpg) ### Your Future: AI Models Will Find You Via Your Personal Website July 18th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/your-future-ai-models-will-find-you-via-your-personal-website) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DMS%20Banner%20Option%202%20-%20LinkedIn%20_%20Facebook%20Sizing.png?width=1200&height=627&name=DMS%20Banner%20Option%202%20-%20LinkedIn%20_%20Facebook%20Sizing.png) ### How to Write and Publish a Book that Supercharges Your Personal Brand July 2nd, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/how-to-write-and-publish-a-book-that-supercharges-your-personal-brand) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stefano%20Paciotti.jpg?width=1500&height=1084&name=Stefano%20Paciotti.jpg) ### The Ham Whisperer of Rome: How Stefano’s Honest Videos Won the World’s Heart June 24th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-ham-whisperer-of-rome-how-stefanos-honest-videos-won-the-worlds-heart) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tufts%20Entrepreneurial%20Marketing.jpg?width=1500&height=1000&name=Tufts%20Entrepreneurial%20Marketing.jpg) ### My Best Advice for New University Graduates: Do These Two Things April 7th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/my-best-advice-for-new-university-graduates-do-these-two-things) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Television.jpg?width=1000&height=667&name=Television.jpg) ### Your Daily Schedule Determines What You Will Accomplish February 19th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/your-daily-schedule-determines-what-you-will-accomplish) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DMS%20at%20HBS.jpg?width=1239&height=843&name=DMS%20at%20HBS.jpg) ### Sneaking In Via Life’s Side Doors January 14th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/sneaking-in-via-lifes-side-doors) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Vermont%20wilderness%20pond.jpg?width=1500&height=1125&name=Vermont%20wilderness%20pond.jpg) ### Artistic Craft or AI Dreck in 2025? 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