Knowledge is power

So I'm thinking that I must be missing something here. Something that will make my goals realities and see me constantly improving on the past. As if there is a big chasm between having a desire to accomplish something and then actually getting it done. I have come to the conclusion that desire is not enough. Wanting something doesn't make it happen. Staggeringly insightful, I know.

Why has it taken me thirty odd years to figure out that just wanting something bad enough isn't enough? It isn't that I've failed to realize you need a plan to reach your goals. I've made such plans and I usually have more success when actually I follow my plan. But somehow I have only had a hazy idea of where knowledge has fit into all this. For years I have been making up schedules to manage my time and be more productive. They are very nice schedules, include everything I could possibly want to do, often color coded, and if I only followed them I would be an amazingly organized and efficient person. Where is the gap? How can I make such great plans and absolutely fail in following them?  Simply put I have absolutely no idea what I am doing.

Recently I sat myself down and had a nice chat with my brain about what successes I have had lately and how I achieved them:

My step goal last summer; I looked up a ton of information on walking, pedometers, and having a step goal. Then I acted on that knowledge. Knowledge is power. I met and surpassed my step goal. Felt great doing it.

Started living on a tight but reasonable budget; watched Gail Vaz Oxlade instruct dozens of people on how to live on a budget (spent a whole weekend watching a marathon of "'til Debt Do Us Part" on Slice TV). Read her website, used her suggestions, read other sites and success stories. Then put these into practice.  Knowledge is power. We now live on a budget without even giving it much thought. It is second nature.

Comparing these successes with my flops in getting on a schedule I tried to see what I could translate across to finally get a grip on how I use my time. One thing became quite obvious. I have no idea how to work up a proper schedule and even less of a clue as to putting it into effect. I am lacking the knowledge. So now my plan is to educate myself and then attack this scheduling problem with overwhelming force.