i think you should , if you know what to do that means you have improved alot
most people don't have a clear plan when play chess
you can do what ever you want when play chess
chess is about to take advantage from your opponet
if you take enough advatge you can win
to reach that you need to make your pieces safe first and easy to reach the battelfield
and castle to make your king safe
the pawn also imprtant to protect your pieces
frankly only long time play and thinking and make you know what to do when play chess
there is no easy way to reach that
First of all, believe me, even if I'm not certainly a GM, chess is experience. You should get to know a lot of typical positions in the opening and in the middle game. This will enable you to understand which plans are ok in a given position. I'll suggest you a good book which can help you. This is the link:
http://ebookbrowsee.net/pachman-ludek-complete-chess-strategy-i-first-principles-of-the-middle-game-1979-pdf-d252933731
Try it and your play will become better and better ciao