After reading your 2 Essence and 8 Personal year texts, ~first~, you probably noticed their traits have little in common. When the most sensitive, gentle number (the 2) is paired with the controlling, decisive, ambitious 8 it can quickly bring things to a boil.

The challenge this presents will require you to intentionally work on being sensitive to the needs and feelings of others, while simultaneously refusing to allow emotions and relationship issues to come between you and your goals.  Such sensitivity comes naturally for the cooperative, harmonious 2, but the influence of your results-oriented 8 could make this more difficult.
Keeping your personal and professional lives separate will help, as one inspires the heart to dominate, while the other demands a focused, sometimes aggressive approach.

This combination can bring great success or total disaster. A positive outcome is much more likely (especially if you are able to bring your hard-charging side to work but leave it at the door when you get home). However, although the 8 is usually proficient in business and career, it is not uncommon for someone with a 2 Essence/8 Personal Year to make serious (and uncharacteristic) mistakes in this area. This is even more of a concern if you are a business owner or are in upper management. Positions with greater responsibility tend to experience more consequential effects from poor decisions.

The positive versus negative outcome applies to your personal life as well. Fortunately, a negative result rarely appears in both areas (personal and career), as mistakes are almost always the result of allowing one number to overshadow the other. It will help if you stay even keeled and grounded. Take time to think things through - impulsive behavior is not advised.

Romance could be a big winner this year, as the 2 and 8 combination helps others notice your sensitivity and awareness as well as your confidence. To maintain a healthy relationship, however, you will need to ensure your ambition does not detract from the attention you give to your partner.