SAN DIEGO -- Did you know clutter can cause you to waste four weeks a year looking for misplaced things?

Professional organizer Jana Hartwell can help you organize your home, garage or office.

Diana Jillie, another professional organizer, said the key to reducing clutter and getting organized is to use the "FAT system -- file, act and toss."

It may seem simple to get organized by just putting things in files or containers. But without a strategy, your plan of attack can go bust.

"People like to dive right in and they buy all these containers which don't fit. Then they run out of energy, become frustrated and the whole project falls apart," Jillie said.

That is where professional organizers come in: they create a plan, they categorize, organize and then help you let go of all that stuff.

There are 21 different companies in San Diego which belong to the National Association of Professional Organizers. To find one that will work for you, log onto to www.napo.net.