Your potential to achieve greatness in career or business is considerable, due in large part to the teamwork of your 1 Expression and 8 Personality. Both the 1 and 8 are driven by effort and a determination to overcome obstacles. Coasting through life is enough for some people, but it is not an option you choose.

You may feel you get more than your fair share of difficulty and challenge, but the truth is you subconsciously seek them out. Even so, significant effort will be required, as both the 1 and the 8 believe in, and thrive on, effort. Unfortunately, you are easily plagued by doubt and moments of low self-esteem, and the perception that success will not be forthcoming can be particularly detrimental to a person with your otherwise strong and opinionated numbers. Be aware that patience may not be your forte'. Although the 1 and 8 combination usually brings success, when it brings failure it is generally due to a lack of patience, not a lack of effort or an absence of talent or opportunity.

Your 2 Heart's Desire is a blessing in disguise. A gentle number, it is the perfect counterbalance to your Expression and Personality, although that is often not the way it feels. There will be times you see a promising opportunity but doubt your ability to succeed (a doubt caused by the meek and gentle 2 referred to previously). The truth is, without that "soft" interior, your masculine 1 and 8 would make it very difficult to maintain good relationships with others. The flexible, diplomatic 2 is actually one of the most resilient numbers, and strives to keep a peaceful, pleasant equilibrium at all costs. 

This is in direct conflict with your confrontational and driven 1 Expression, which would be just as happy walking right over anyone attempting to come between you and your goal. There is an inherent challenge here, ~first~. (Keep in mind that your Heart's Desire reveals where you find your happiness and contentment, while your Expression reflects your talents, strengths, and vocational attributes.) It is important that you pay attention to what you truly desire from life, before you let your domineering Expression number push you into the type of career that could bring financial success, but not the happiness you seek.

Fortunately, your 8 Personality brings focus, vision, and balance, as well as a healthy dose of business savvy and pragmatism. The shape of the 8 mirrors its most important quality: it balances the forces inside and outside of you. It is, therefore, your greatest asset in finding both success and happiness.

For a good indicator of how well you are balancing the opposing 1 and 2, look at your general state of mind. If you usually feel calm and levelheaded, you are finding a balance between these potentially conflicting aspects. If you are often impatient or irritated, allow the gentle 2 to play a larger role in your life, as it is likely being dominated by your aggressive 1 Expression.

Now let's look at each of your core numbers individually.