I shoot off a tripod, and have the image stabilization turned off on the lens and the pics are just blah.
You haven't really shared what specifically you're dissatisfied with. I'm inferring lack of sharpness, but is it that, or do your photo's lack "pop"? Contrast, Saturation? Sharing a representative photo might help get you better advice.
Pretty much every serious photographer I know uses Lightroom. CameraLand was sending emails promoting LightRoom classes not long ago.
