11 Submissive Task Ideas Every Dom Can Assign Their Sub

Maybe you're a submissive looking for fresh ways to serve and show devotion to your dom. Or perhaps you're the one wearing the dominant hat, wanting to train your partner and reinforce the power exchange between you. Either way, submissive tasks are a great tool for that — keep reading to see how much value they can add, along with concrete ideas to try.

Defining Submissive Tasks

Put simply, a submissive task is anything the dominant asks the sub to complete — a single request or an ongoing routine. These tasks can be sexual, but plenty aren't.

Consent – As with any BDSM activity, submissive tasks might look coercive to someone watching from outside. In reality, consent underpins every power exchange dynamic, no matter how brief. Couples can formalize that consent through a written BDSM contract, or simply keep it verbal and informal.

For tasks specifically, many couples talk through and agree on them together in advance, meaning nothing is truly forced on a submissive without their buy-in. That said, a dom may still assign tasks that weren't individually pre-approved, relying instead on the sub's broader consent to the relationship itself.

Check out other BDSM rules that keep play safe and sane.

Some tasks are strictly one-time events, while recurring ones can blend into the everyday rules for submissives already in place.

How Tasks Differ From Punishment

Submissive tasks and BDSM discipline aren't the same thing, for a few key reasons.

• Tasks aren't a reaction to misbehavior, even though they may reinforce the relationship's dynamic.
• They're not inherently unpleasant, though they can certainly be demanding.
• Tasks typically match the particular style of submission a sub practices.
• That said, failing to complete a task properly and on time can still result in the dom layering on actual discipline.

If you're after ideas for disciplining your submissive, see this post on BDSM punishments.

Why Assign Tasks at All?

Dominants hand out tasks for a variety of reasons. In a total power exchange relationship, or any dynamic with BDSM elements, tasks act as an ongoing reminder of the structure. They can be lightly, playfully irritating, yet many submissives find real pride and satisfaction in completing them — a tangible way to express devotion and loyalty.

Tasks also function as training tools, helping a partner grow into their submissive role while testing attentiveness and listening skills. Over time, tasks can escalate in complexity or difficulty.

Beyond that, the nature of a task often mirrors the relationship's specific flavor and shared interests — service-oriented subs, for instance, are more likely to take on household chores. Since tasks should reflect the individuals involved, there's no universal task list every sub has to follow.

Submissive tasks can also cover practical upkeep, like cleaning and maintaining bondage rope used during scenes — giving the task both a functional purpose and personal significance.

Finally, some dominants use tasks to encourage a submissive's personal growth or self-care. Forgetting to eat might turn "have a healthy snack" into an assigned task. Even something like paying bills can become a task if it fits the couple's dynamic.

Discover: How to be a great submissive.

Should Tasks Come With Rewards?

Depending on their dom style, a dominant might reward timely, well-executed tasks. Often, though, the real reward is simply the dom's reaction and the pride the sub feels in a job well done.

11 Categories of Submissive Tasks

1. Selfies and Nude Photos

Think: a morning selfie sent for outfit or makeup approval, or sending a nude to your dom at night.

Advice for taking a great sexy selfie.

2. Sourcing, Making, and Serving Food or Drink

Start the dominant's day off well by brewing and serving their coffee just how they like it. Pack their lunch, complete with a loving note tucked inside.

Learning a brand-new recipe for your dom works too, and meal prepping is another solid option that benefits the submissive as well.

A dom might also send their sub out to pick up a specific treat while shopping — whether the sub already knows exactly what to grab can be built into the challenge.

3. Sex Toy Assignments

A dominant might assign tasks like:

• Wearing a butt plug at a set time daily.
• Wearing nipple clamps as part of nipple play.
• Wearing Ben Wa balls, which doubles as Kegel training.
• Bringing themselves to orgasm using a vibrator.

4. Sexual Assignments for a Submissive

A dominant might demand pleasure, or a blow job, on short notice — and can raise the difficulty by having the sub hum a tune while performing it.

See our full blow job guide for more.

Alternatively, the sub might be ordered to orgasm on command. Edging fits naturally here too, and a dom can require the sub to ask permission before finishing, or even wear a chastity device. Calling repeatedly while their phone sits on vibrate between their legs is a particularly devilish tactic. Pair it with a stream of dirty text messages for extra effect.

Recording a solo session for the dominant to review is another possibility, especially with specific requirements attached to the video.

Writing the dom's name or nickname on your own body is a visible act of submission — as are other degrading phrases, if that fits your dynamic.

5. Writing Assignments

Some dominants ask for a devoted letter every single day. Others want a daily journal entry or a recap of the sub's day sent by email.

A dom might assign written reflections on a past session or scene, or something more like an essay for the sub to compose.

Correspondence doesn't have to stop with the dom, either — subs might be tasked with writing to others as a way to nurture existing hobbies or pick up new skills.

Reading the same book as their dom, for shared discussion, is another option — essentially a private book club for two.

If this kind of dynamic appeals to you, take a look at these BDSM games.

Related: Read more on what Dom/sub actually means.

6. Self-Improvement Tasks

Framing self-care as a BDSM task helps ensure a submissive actually takes care of themselves, while growth-oriented tasks push them further. A dom can also use tasks to help break bad habits — nail-biting, skin-picking, whatever it may be. Reciting positive affirmations aloud in front of the dom can build confidence, and works especially well for anyone with a praise kink.

More self-improvement task ideas include:

• Waking at a fixed time or keeping a consistent sleep schedule
• Hitting the gym, running, or exercising generally
• Staying hydrated
• Eating well
• Picking up a new skill
• Meditating
• Joining a class or group
• Attending therapy
• Completing applications
• Volunteering
• Doing homework

7. Managing the Household

Chores are an obvious go-to submissive task, particularly ones the dominant personally dislikes. But it goes far beyond scrubbing toilets — a sub might plan a party or vacation, schedule appointments, handle bill payments, or arrange gifts for the dom or someone else.

Sorting through a dominant's overflowing inbox can eat up plenty of time, and DIY projects raise the bar even further.

Helping a dominant get dressed — knotting ties, fastening buttons — is a surprisingly intimate task requiring real attentiveness.

Outside the house, a sub might handle errands or drop off paperwork, including picking up a specific item while out.

8. Appearance-Related Tasks

It's common for dominants to have a say in how their sub looks. Sometimes the sub retains some choice — picking a handful of outfit options for the dom to choose from, say, like three different sets of lingerie. A dom might specify nail polish or makeup generally without dictating the exact style.

Related: How to pick the best lingerie for you

Some doms go further, requiring permission before wearing underwear, or assigning specific outfits tied to particular days of the week. An item like a collar signifying ownership often brings so much joy to a sub that it barely feels like a task at all.

Side note: A dominant who gets aroused primarily from giving you pleasure might be a Pleasure Dom.

Also worth exploring: ways to dress up for your partner.

Shaving or trimming pubic hair is another frequent task, and a dom can up the challenge with more elaborate grooming patterns.

Learn: How to be a great Dom.

9. Keeping the Dom Entertained

There's a wide range of tasks focused on making sure the dominant is never bored — you can probably brainstorm a few beyond what's listed here.

• Learning and performing a song or dance – This sexy playlist is a useful starting point
• Scouting new entertainment for the dom
• Teaching the dominant a new skill, like a language
• Singing the dom to sleep
• Hunting down funny videos to send along
• Curating a playlist for the dom

10. Kink and BDSM-Specific Tasks

A submissive might be asked to endure a certain type or level of pain for their dominant — moving from spanking up to caning, for example.

Read More: How to Spank Your Husband

Brainstorming fresh ways to be restrained, new punishment concepts, or other creative sub ideas can itself become an assignment.

Some subs might also be tasked with a bit of self bondage on their partner's behalf.

11. A Grab Bag of Other Ideas

A frequent task involves holding a specific position on command — kneeling, or getting on all fours whenever the dom says so. Similarly, a dom might ban furniture use for an hour a day, forcing the sub to stand instead.

A simple kiss on the lips or cheek can double as a small, enjoyable task.

A scavenger hunt makes for a genuinely creative assignment, though it usually demands real prep work from the dominant.

For an especially devious twist, have the submissive brainstorm their own task ideas.

Marking a task complete – Even reporting that a task is finished can be its own mini-task — assuming a set posture, like kneeling before the dom with eyes down, or simply sending a confirmation message.

Adjusting Tasks as Needed

Certain tasks only make sense in certain settings. Making lunch is simple at home, far less so while traveling. Likewise, a sub can't give a hand job to a dominant who isn't physically present.

That means being flexible about how and where tasks get done. Look for creative workarounds — nothing here needs to be especially wild or explicit — like having the sub practice on a dildo instead (how to use a dildo) when apart, or booking a restaurant reservation instead of cooking. There are always ways to keep submissive tasks woven into daily life.

Now that you've got a solid handle on the role tasks play in power exchange relationships, along with plenty of task ideas to try, it's time to talk with your partner and start weaving them into your own dynamic.

April 18, 2022