I wrote a long time ago that:
> To me, an authority transfer relationship is two people working TOGETHER to acheive the dynamic they both want.
What I think is sometimes skimmed over, especially in the era of 50-shades-of-grey-inspired dynamics-that-are-really-just-play, is that the effort comes from both sides. I 100% don't see D/s as a submissive striving to serve a "dominant" whose main contribution is their ability to swing a flogger, or bark demands, or their "alpha-ness"
All snide mockery aside, I've found that actual information on ways the left side of the slash can contribute does tends to be scarce. So in an attempt to even the scales, here are some example of things I'm personally trying to do at the moment and (perhaps more importanrly) WHY I do them. Obviously these won't be suitable for everyone, and they're not exhaustive - I've undoubtedly missed a lot - but it's a start. I'm keen to hear how others contribute to their dynamics, too.
I take copious note: likes, dislikes, triggers, progress, plans, goals, fears, favourite foods, etc. Because I consider a huge part of having authority to be also understanding how to use it safely and responsibly - and that means that the more information, the better.
I set reminders for MYSELF to give my submissive reminders about completing tasks. This might sound a bit silly, but the way I see it is that D/s isn't some kind of trap to trick the sumbissive into slipping up. Maybe that's a fun _play_ scene for some, but within a real life dynamic I WANT them to be successful.
I set aside time for me to go through results of tasks. Not to "check whether a punishment is needed" or any such thing, but because when someone has taken time to do something for me, D/s dynamic or not, I will absolutely take the time to properly appreciate it. And if I do find I'd prefer it done differently, it presents the perfect opportunity to explain this.
I work on my own self growth - Dominance doesn't mean "lazy mode" to me but rather the opposite. The responsibility of a dynamic is actually one of the absolute largest motivators for me when it comes to working on my own mental and physical health.
I try to educate myself to at least a basic level in my submissive's interests and hobbies. Because honestly, I'm interested in a _person_, not just ways I can play with them.
I spend a lot of time reflecting on which elements of the dynamic are working well, which aren't working so well, and whether anything needs to be discussed or changed. Because life happens, and I've learnes that dynamics need to adjust accordingly. Looking back, not doing this enough has been a big mistake I've made in the past.
If a lot of these sound just like things that regular people do in regular vanilla relationships... that's because at its heart, I truly see D/s as just that: a relationship. Sure, there might be more structure built in, and pre-established rules about who's in charge, but it's still a relationship.