If you’ve observed lately, Kenyans aren’t exactly the most patient people. Barely two meters of space between you and the car ahead and a matatu will forcefully try to squeeze himself in or flash his lights at you from behind. Waiting in line and the person behind you is breathing down your neck, coming suspiciously close. A slight snarl up in traffic and it’s the overlappers who seemingly get rewarded for “being smart” in finding a way out of the traffic. Instant gratification is what everyone seems to want.

Young educated men have found guns and would rather rob people than work hard or long for a long time for the same amount of money as depicted in the recently premiered local movie Nairobi Half Life. Young ladies have resorted to attracting wealthy older men who promise access to their deep pockets. No longer is the promise of a bright future enough for a young man to hook a young lady and keep her there. There must be ready evidence measurable in a few zeros at the end.

The government hasn’t been left behind; they’re borrowing like crazy on the public’s behalf to build multi-billion roads, ports and plants– to meet Vision 2030. All the while the basics of education have never been sorted out and teachers are on strike. Again.

Just the other week the International Finance Corporation - a World Bank front - reported 336 billion shillings invested in Africa between 2011 and 2012. History tells us that African countries probably won’t pay back these debts, at least not in monetary terms, but who cares if we’re getting the roads and buildings now? Future generations will pick up the tab.

Generally, it seems like we’ve been conditioned to believe that being patient or waiting for financial gratification to come at its own pace is not a path to success. Think about it. Would you go around telling everyone if you turned down a high paying job for a lower one that’s more gratifying in other ways apart from money? While some Kenyans would understand this logic, most wouldn’t. It the case of the Kenyan who hastily buys a big car on loan and then looks down on those driving smaller cars which were probably paid for in one bank transaction.

It’s also the reason we hear several cases where an inheritance is neatly left behind only to be mutilated by siblings through wrangles that last years in court. Patient collaboration, as proven by several successful local Indian families can lead to colossal success. But try telling that to a Kenyan.

The truth is that delayed gratification – the ability to wait for future rather than current rewards – is a wise way to go about pursuing wealth or financial stability. Cutting corners may be instinctive and make you feel like you’re getting ahead of those around you, but this is only temporary. You’d rather succeed financially with the endorsement of the people around you rather than alone with a string of enemies you created on your way up. So next time you think about taking the short-term route to make money, ask yourself what you’re going to have to sacrifice because there’s always a price to pay.