alt Hacker NewsGroundhog day was perhaps the wrong phrase to use. In any case I don't believe people would spontaneously attempt meaningful self-improvement with any seriousness if there was no expected finality to our existence. Don't forget, Bill Murray's character has to kill himself numerous times before he makes any kind of worthwhile progress.
Another way of looking at it is that Bill Murray's character learns over and over that there are no consequences to failure.
The biggest thing holding people back imo is fear of failure, fear of consequences.
If your dream is starting a business but if it fails you'll be broke, it's understandable if you're hesitant
Fear of failure cripples people because setbacks are so costly. Many people never attempt anything because they are afraid they will fail. Or more accurately because they cannot afford to fail