The protagonist in "A Conspiracy of Friends" by Alexander McCall Smith comes to an important realization about his life. He understands that his feelings of inadequacy stem from not appreciating the value of his daily experiences. Instead of recognizing the significance of his seemingly mundane actions, he has dismissed them as trivial.

This turning point highlights a common theme in life—underestimating the importance of ordinary moments. The character learns that what he perceived as a lack of achievement was, in fact, a wealth of simple yet meaningful events that shaped his existence. By acknowledging these moments, he begins to appreciate the richness of his life.