DOPAMINE EQUALS DRIVE

The Silent Damage of Uncontrolled Smartphone Use (That Most People Ignore for Too Long).

Simply answer yes or no to the following questions:

• Does it ever happen to you that you are on your smartphone too often, or for too long, or at the wrong time, or doing something that doesn’t really make your life better?

• Does it ever happen to you that the way you use your smartphone is not aligned with your priorities and values?

• Do you often end up feeling regret after using your smartphone?

If you answered no to all of those you can click away, this is not for you. But if you answered "yes" to at least 2 of those questions it's a sign that you are not in control of your smartphone.

Most of us are dealing with this challenge at this point in history. I have been there too, struggling to contain these forces, answering "yes" to all three questions.

This is not happening by chance, or because you are weak: it's happening because your phone has been perfected over two decades and billions of dollars of research and development, packed with algorithms and interfaces engineered by the brightest minds of our generation with the purpose of bending your will.

Today your phone is already the entry point for A.I.-powered interests to control your life.

I have to tell you: This is not going to get better.

With the development on A.I. running on a double-exponential curve, the kind of damage we've seen to our lives and to the lives of our children is nothing but a glimpse of what is ahead.

But I'm also here to tell you that there is a path to turn the table and get in control of this thing.

There are three categories for whom this work is the most urgent:

You’re a driven professional who relies on your phone for work but feels constantly drained and distracted.

Maybe you’re a parent who wants to be present for your kids and be a positive role model but keeps getting pulled back into endless scrolling.

Or you’re an online entrepreneur whose entire career depends on social media, but it’s slowly burning you out.

In all three cases, you need full access to your focus, drive and presence.

Here is the key: focus, drive and presence depend on a molecule in the brain called dopamine.

But right now, you are letting your smartphone take your dopamine away.

Here is the chilling truth:

Your smartphone needs your dopamine to keep you hooked. And unfortunately for you and me, the people who design the apps we use every day are actively trying to steal it.

Shamelessly.

We are faced with a real challenge, and one that is there to stay: Give up our phones or become prey in this bottomless race.

Sure, you could try forcing yourself to use willpower—but that never lasts.

You could install app blockers and digital detox hacks—but they don’t fix the real issue.

You could just accept it and keep scrolling—but deep down, you know this isn’t sustainable.

There has to be another way.

There has to be a route that is sustainable and that looks forward rather than backward. Something that sets the foundation for a broader and healthier relationship with A.I. technologies long-term.

This Is For You If...

• You promise yourself you won’t check your phone first thing in the morning—but before you know it, you're scrolling.

• You open your phone for “just a second” and somehow lose 45 minutes without even realizing it.

• You often feel drained, unfocused, and unmotivated, but can’t figure out why—even though you know you’re spending too much time on your phone.

• You sit at dinner with loved ones, but half of your mind is itching to check your phone (or worse—you already have it in your hand).

• You get through a long day, yet feel like you haven’t actually done anything meaningful because your focus was all over the place.

• You used to feel excited and driven, but now everything feels meh—even things you used to enjoy.

• You stay up late scrolling, even though you’re exhausted—and then wake up feeling even worse the next day.

• You want your children to develop healthy habits around technology - but you feel shame because you're not demonstrating such habits yourself.

🔥 The Take Control! Program will give you the tools, structure, and guidance to reset your dopamine and set the foundation for a lifetime of using technology to your advantage instead of being used by it.

RECLAIM YOUR DOPAMINE, RECLAIM YOUR LIFE

Tech in Your Control

+ Real Rewards

= A Life on Fire.

Your Brain Wasn’t Designed for an A.I.-Dominated World — And Most People Still Don’t Realize the Damage.

But here's the good news - your brain has the ultimate advantage: the infinite potential for rewiring.

You don’t need to:

❌ Blame yourself for "lack of discipline" when in reality your dopamine system is hijacked.

❌ Go on extreme “dopamine detoxes” where you quit everything fun, only to burn out and relapse

❌ Follow a guru's productivity hacks that work for a week - then fail.

❌ Use meditation and mindfulness as a band-aid instead of using them to address the root cause

❌ Hope motivation will "just come back" instead of understanding the science behind it

❌ Think quitting social media is the only way—when the real problem is how you use it

⚡We take a different approach.

We focus on dopamine.

Why dopamine?

Because dopamine is the foundation of motivation, focus, and enjoymeont.

Most people try to fix their focus and energy by forcing themselves to "be more disciplined."

That's like trying to contain a stallion. Good luck.

Instead, we help you learn how to ride the stallion.

Discipline is impossible when your brain’s reward system is hijacked.

What you actually need to do is recalibrate your dopamine system so that it propels you toward what makes you happy instead of what makes you miserable.

In this way, focus, motivation, and presence approach effortlessness (Meaning you can finally break free from distractions without relying on willpower).

The solution?

Rewire your brain for deep work, real-world enjoyment, and lasting fulfillment.

If you don’t fix your dopamine, you’ll always feel scattered. You’ll keep reaching for quick hits of stimulation. You'll keep a backdoor constantly open for A.I.-driven algorithms to bend your will. And that will affect your clients, your prospects, your partner, your children and your friendships.

But once you reset your dopamine you regain a natural access to deep focus, motivation, and the ability to direct and enjoy life without constantly needing your phone.

🔥 You. Need. Drive.

You, right now, are just weeks away from your boldest moves and highest-quality results. That is... if you know how to get back in control of your phone, reset your dopamine and use it to your advantage.

Most people try to "fix" their focus and motivation the wrong way

They fight symptoms instead of solving the root problem.

The 30-Day Challenge is where the journey begins!

In the span of just 30 days you will radically restructure the role of technology in your life so that it returns to being a tool instead of a master.

You will work on FIVE TRANSFORMATIONAL CHALLENGES:

Level 1

The 30-Day Challenge

Level 2

Going Deeper

YOU. WANT. MORE.

Having conquered the 30-day challenge you realize that restructuring your relationship with your phone is a doorway to make profound changes in all areas of your life.

You know what freedom and power taste like, and you want more.

I've got more for you.

Embark on a 30-day journey of going deeper and attack the THREE DEEPER TRANSFORMATIONAL CHALLENGES:

✅ Regulate your emotions - Boredom, anxiety, and stress often drive phone use. You will learn how to address these and other emotions at their root, so you’re no longer tempted to distract yourself​. Go beyond impulse control and learn to decipher and influence the deeper drivers of your behaviors, without shutting your emotions down or letting them run the show.

✅ Restructure your relationships —Smartphones often replace genuine interaction with shallow digital exchanges​. Learn to prioritize high-quality relationships​ both face-to-face and in the virtual world. Elevate joy and fulfillment in your life by creating deeper, more meaningful connections.

✅ Embrace discomfort—By leaning into challenges—rather than avoiding them—you can retrain your brain to find joy in effort. This is the science of hormesis, where small doses of discomfort build resilience. Life’s challenges become opportunities for growth and fulfillment.

Level 2 also includes a dedicated workbook and access to the weekly community sessions.

✅ A detailed phone audit that pinpoints exactly what’s useful and necessary versus what’s optional and harmful—along with a new set of insights and beliefs to help you use your phone intentionally.

✅ A personalized “I'm in Control” Plan —your own written rules for when, why, and how you use your phone, making mindless scrolling a thing of the past.

✅ A dopamine-loaded goal map—a clear breakdown of what excites you long-term, so you never need “motivation hacks” again.

✅ Your “Distraction Killer” set —a flexible and reliable toolkit to override the impulse to check your phone the moment it arises.

✅ Your Dopamine-Reloading Pleasure moves- a strategic set of activities that fills your life with joy, energy and meaning while at the same time recharging your dopamine, instead of depleting it.

And that's not all. Included in the 30-day challenge come 3 highly valuable bonuses:

BONUSES

🎁 1 - Weekly community sessions (value 450$) Each week accelerate your progress by celebrating your wins and get real-time guidance on your biggest challenges, while engaging with a community of committed peers who will support and push you forward.

🎁 2 - Printable workbook (value 75$) providing step-by-step instructions for all the exercises, the awareness prompts, the journalling questions and the checklist to ensure your life remains focused on what matters.

🎁3 - A step-by-step phone-restructuring strategy (value 150$) There are lots of apps and options one could use to help reduce excessive screen time and the choice can be overwhelming. I've done the work for you and picked the best tech-based strategies to make your phone work for you.

OUR SYSTEM

Transform Your Relationship with Technology:

From Self-Sabotage to Self-Mastery.

You’ll follow a structured, science-backed process to gradually reset your dopamine, rebuild your focus and drive, and reshape your relationship with technology.

You’ll develop concrete strategies to reduce mindless phone use, regain motivation for real-life goals, and create habits that make deep focus effortless.

The only reason you wouldn’t see results is If you skip key steps, miss important nuances or expect this to be a quick fix. Your brain won’t rewire overnight.

You'll be playing a game of consistency - not perfection. If you take daily actions on the steps and keep moving forward—even after setbacks, you’ll feel the shift.

You’ll experience focus, motivation, and enjoyment in a way you might not have felt in years.

THE SYSTEM AT-A-GLANCE

• Break Free from Mindless Phone Use – Follow a structured, science-backed process to recalibrate your dopamine levels, restoring focus, motivation, and natural drive.

• Take Back Control of Your Time & Attention – Design a personalized system to decide when, where, and how you use your phone—so technology works for you, not against you.

• Set a Goal Your Brain Can’t Resist – Get clear on your long-term vision and lock in a dopamine-loaded, 12-week target that makes real progress feel as addictive as distractions.

• How to Stop Checking Your Phone on Autopilot – Learn practical, science-backed techniques to override the impulse to check your phone—without relying on willpower alone.

• Make Real Life More Rewarding Than Your Screen – Understand how tech companies exploit your brain’s “wanting” system and how to rebuild a life where real-world pleasures feel better than digital distractions.

• Turn Your Phone into a Focus-Boosting Power Tool – Declutter your apps, optimize your settings, and remove distractions so your phone supports your goals instead of sabotaging them.

• Rebuild Deep, Meaningful Relationships (Without Killing Your Social Life) – Learn how to be fully present with loved ones, have deeper conversations, and balance online connection with real-world intimacy.

• Turn Pain into Motivation – Stop running from discomfort and start using it as fuel for focus, sustained effort, and long-term success.

• Stay in Control of Your Emotions (Even When Life Gets Overwhelming) – Handle boredom, anxiety, and stress without turning to your phone for a quick dopamine hit.

• Get More Done in Less Time (Without Feeling Drained) – Implement a fail-proof system to make high-quality focus your default mode—so you can stay productive without burnout.

WHAT YOU’LL MASTER

What former participants say:

I realized I was not only underperforming professionally but was also neglecting my home life and personal well-being. I knew I couldn’t keep going down this path. What seemed like innocent smart phone use had such a bigger impact that went beyond even just the time on the phone. I was feeling like I didn't have the drive to complete necessary tasks. I was having a hard time concentrating and staying on task. I remember one day being on my phone and I looked up and the kids were on their i-pads and we were just coexisting in a room with zero connection between us. I realized the example I was setting was not one I ever intended. I couldn't preach to the choir so to speak unless I also set better examples. I realized if I didn't go through this program that I couldn't support my children with the change as well.

With the help of this program I've drastically reduced my screen time and feel more present in my daily life. I’m not constantly distracted by my phone, which has led to increased focus and productivity. I’ve developed healthier habits around technology, such as setting boundaries for phone use and finding more meaningful ways to spend my time, like reading or engaging with my family or in outdoor activities. After spending less time on my phone I started noticing how many times a day the kids looked my way to see if I was watching them. The connections that we started making were so much more pure and true than anything I could get over my phone.

I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how technology impacts my mental health and dopamine levels, which has helped me make more intentional choices about how and when I engage with my devices

Nicolo's zone of genius lies in his deep understanding of how our brains work, particularly when it comes to technology and dopamine. He educates with science-backed facts, which gave me the confidence that the strategies he's offering are grounded in research. What stands out the most is his ability to truly empathize with where I am in my journey. He has this rare talent of putting himself in my shoes, which makes his coaching incredibly personalized and spot-on. His insights are always practical, actionable, and deeply aligned with my goals, which is why they resonate so strongly with me.

T.O.

★★★★★

Before the Take Control! program :

❌ Feel constantly restless—like you can’t just be without checking your phone

❌ Lose interest in deep, meaningful work because quick dopamine hits feel easier.

❌ You start tasks with energy, but get distracted and never finish them.

❌ Wake up and start scrolling before you even realize it

❌Pick up your phone for “just a second” and lose 45 minutes

❌Feel drained, unfocused, and unmotivated but don’t know why

❌ You want to be fully present with your family, but distractions keep pulling you away.

❌ You worry about your child’s relationship with technology, but struggle to model better habits.

❌ You spend all day online “working”—but most of it disappears into distractions.

❌ You justify endless scrolling as “market research,” but deep down, you know it’s killing your productivity.

❌ You start your day with a plan, but end up reacting to notifications and messages instead.

❌ You struggle to switch off—your brain is always in work mode, yet you feel stuck and drained.

❌ Your content and sales efforts feel inconsistent because you lack focus and clear execution.

❌End the day feeling like you’ve been busy but accomplished nothing meaningful

❌Find that even things you used to enjoy feel... meh

❌Stay up late scrolling even though you’re exhausted—and regret it in the morning

❌Want to be in control, but your phone keeps pulling you back in

After the Take Control! program :

✅ You feel at peace —no urge to grab your phone to “fill the silence.”

✅ You naturally gravitate toward deep work, hobbies, and real-world engagement.

✅ You start tasks with focus—and actually finish them.

✅ Start your day with energy, not endless scrolling

✅ Use your phone on purpose, not on autopilot

✅ Feel focused, motivated, and in control of your attention

✅ You lead by example—showing your kids what a healthy relationship with technology looks like.

✅ Be fully present with loved ones—without the itch to check your phone

✅ You control your phone and workflow—not the other way around.

✅ You engage with content strategically, without getting pulled into time-wasting rabbit holes.

✅ You start your day with clarity and execute your priorities before checking messages.

✅ You master deep work, getting more done in 3 hours than most do in a full day.

✅ You have the energy to show up consistently—creating content, closing deals, and scaling your business without burnout.

✅ End the day knowing you made real progress on what matters

✅ Find deep satisfaction in work, relationships, and real-world experiences

✅ Wind down properly, sleep better, and wake up feeling refreshed

✅ Feel in control of your phone, your time, and your life

Real talk:

• Is it time to take back your focus, energy, and life - and stop letting your phone control you?

• Are you ready to cut out distractions, reclaim your drive and grow your business without burnout?

• Is now the time to lead your family by example, instead of letting screens chip away at your presence?

Ready to join?

Book a 1:1 free consultation using the link below and we'll look together at your goals, your challenges and whether we can help.

Meet your coach:

Nicolò Francesco Bernardi, PhD, ACC

Hi, I'm Nicolò.

I’m a neuropsychologist, ICF-certified coach, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills trainer. For the past 15 years, I’ve helped entrepreneurs, parents, and leaders regulate their emotions, rebuild their focus, lead by example, and create better habits for their families and teams.

And yet, I struggled with my phone, too.

For a chapter of my life, I let it disrupt my dopamine balance. I checked my email an absurd number of times every day. I “bookended” every activity with screen time—grabbing my phone before and after anything demanding. I used it to escape anxiety, fatigue, and frustration. It was a subtle erosion of my presence. It crept in over months, so gradually that I didn’t even notice. Until one day, I realized I didn’t recognize myself anymore.

My wake-up call came when I finally connected what was happening in my life with what I knew about dopamine and the brain. That’s when I saw the pattern:

Most of us are struggling with this — and we don't even realize it.

We need a system to get this back in control, in a way that works with your brain—not against it. Over the years, I’ve tested and refined everything I teach here—through my own experience, over a thousand hours of coaching clients, and cutting-edge neuroscience research. I know what works—because I’ve lived it, tested it on myself, and helped people apply it.

Want to know more about my background? You can find me on LinkedIn

Frequently asked questions

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone who feels overwhelmed by their phone or technology use and wants to regain control. That being said, it is especially well suited for: a) Professionals whose work revolves heavily around social media, such as content creators, journalists, internet marketers, appointment setters, and closers; b) Parents who want to model healthy technology habits for their children, believing that their own example is the most powerful way to teach; c) Professionals and students who value high-performance habits and want to maximize their creativity, stamina, and focus.

Do I have to quit using my phone completely?

No, this isn’t a “digital detox” or a plan to eliminate your phone entirely. Instead, you’ll learn to use your phone intentionally and in alignment with your values—so it enhances your life rather than detracts from it. That said, over the 8-week program, we will have two 24-hour periods without any technology, with detailed instructions and coaching to guide you through the process.

Will I receive support?

Yes! Once a week you are welcome to join a community call where we tackle questions and learn from each other's challenges and successes. This is a group coaching container, meaning that you need to show up ready to learn and apply the coaching to your situation even though you may not always receive individualized support directly from the coach.

How much time does it require each week?

Each of the 8 weeks in the program includes short video lessons, guided exercises, and practical strategies. You can expect to spend about 1 hour per week engaging with the content (plus 1–2 hours for live coaching if you are in the Accelerator tier). The pace is flexible, so you can adjust it to fit your schedule. That said, this isn’t a quick fix—your results will depend on the time and effort you put in.

What if I'm not good at sticking to habits?

We've got you covered! The program is designed to meet you where you are. You’ll learn strategies to overcome resistance, manage setbacks, and build sustainable habits that stick. And every week you'll benefit from a live coaching session to help you stay on track and address the obstacles on the way..

Does this program work for all types of phones and technology?

Yes! The principles and strategies apply to all smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices. You’ll learn universal techniques to use technology more intentionally.

What if I start the course and realize it's not for me?

If you’re not satisfied with the course, you can request a refund within the first 14 days of enrollment.

Is this program backed by science?

Science is still catching up with the rapid changes of the digital revolution over the past decade. That said, this program is grounded in the best available research from neuroscience, mindfulness, and behavioral psychology. It’s designed to help you understand the science of dopamine and create lasting behavioral change.

Will this program help my children or family members?

This course is focused on you and your personal relationship with technology. You need to be ready to make changes to your own lifestyle and daily habits—without expecting others in your life to do the same. That said, many participants find that the principles they learn naturally influence their families, sparking meaningful conversations about technology use and creating healthier habits at home.

Got more questions?

Reach out!

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