If you are optimizing short keywords then it may take years depending on the competition, I would say competition is increasing day by day in Google mainly.
I would say optimizing long tail keywords would help in short period of time...
What is your opinion about it?
I agree with you dear. Short keywords are not helpful for SEO. Its take a long and long time to give results. Long tail keywords are very helpful for SEO. They give results in short period of time.... ;)
True said!
Many websites got adversely affected by excessive usage of long tail but Google has re-emphasized the usage of long tail post the panda update.
Long tail keywords include short keywords too and hence they can be of great help to help you rank high.
I would suggest you to use Long tail keywords smartly.