From what I've seen those users who focus on earning merit so much that it makes merit their whole reason why they are on this forum, will never earn merits. It's simply because their posts are always clearly made to receive merit and people don't like that.
Otherwise there is no "standard" and I have to say that it is very odd that you are asking about merits and hardship of earning them after only 10 days and 10 posts from your account creation!
In my short time around here, I noticed this as well. When I read a really good post or answer, and check the user's merit counter, they almost always have a high merit count (which shows the merit system is working).
There isn't really much more to this; at least, that's how I distribute my sMerits: if I read an interesting idea or question, a good explanation or a helpful thread / guide / link collection, I give some. More or less based on just the (perceived) importance, helpfulness, quality and time / effort put into it.