Real Work: THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS

Listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's highest paid DJ, Paul Oakenfold is musical director of home, the new London super club, and has launched his own record and clothing label, Perfecto.

It was a shock being in the Guinness Book of Records. I never dreamt I'd be in something like that. Of course my friends laughed, but it's nice to have someone recognise your achievements. I don't like blowing my own trumpet, but I can't really deny I've been successful.

Whether you're a bank manager or Bill Gates, I think success is about achieving your goal, gaining recognition in your industry. We can all do it with hard work and determination. It has taken me 12 years to get here.

DJing is not just about copying other DJs. You need to be original and focus on what you're trying to achieve. That's what makes you stand out from the pack. In a club the people are the most important thing. That's why I will do only one set per night, unlike other DJs who do three or four. I like to get there early and check out the crowd before and after I have finished.

I'm always looking at new ways of doing things. Not everything works, but you just have to carry on. I suppose I'm an inventor of sorts. I try to do things that aren't club orientated - like the first live broadcast on the internet. We ended up with 35,000 people on-line in 57 countries. I was the first DJ to play the main stage at Glastonbury and the only DJ playing at Netaid. It was good to be part of a good cause - helping and giving something back.

Next year I'm trying to become a monthly resident in your house via the internet. The idea is you get your friends round and have a club in your home on a monthly basis - globally. It gives people a chance to see what is going on in the clubs. The next generation of clubbers can sit there and watch what happens. It's taking the whole of clubbing to the next level.

But my career is not all about me. I've got a fantastic team around me. They don't get enough credit sometimes, but they deserve it. I need people to help me think things through, because I've got so many ideas and I'm off at 100 miles an hour.

After a set, people often come up and ask my advice and I tell them there's no secret to success. It just takes commitment, originality and passion. I'm no different than anyone else.

INGRID KENNEDY