The simple word "dedicated" can mean different things to different drivers. For some it can conjure up images of running around in circles all day, or living the same day over and over again, similar to the movie "Groundhog Day". Not exactly the thoughts that a lot of folks living for the freedom of the open road want to think of. The word dedicated to others might mean something completely the opposite. For those people it can mean such things as security, predictability, and even being comfortable. Considering which is right for you is reliant on many different factors!
Dedicated freight has its advantages and disadvantages when compared side-by-side with your more traditional OTR routes. When I first started out, running the open road wherever the freight would take me was one of the positive draws to my becoming a truck driver. Not having a wife or kids at the time made me more opt to stay out longer and see as many different places as I could. The true "freedom of the open road" was mine for the taking!
While my career as a driver progressed, so too did my life situation in general. With a wife and children at home now, I have made it part of my business model to be home every night if attainable. I don't want to have regrets when I am older that I did not get to see my little girls 
grow up, but have to balance that "want" with the need to provide for them. This is where my dedicated runs have come into play. Although they account for a large part of my business, I still am not one to put all of my eggs in one basket.
Having landed several dedicated hauls which gain me first priority for these particular customers, it sets up a good base every week to build my hauling revenue upon. Filling in the holes between my dedicated runs with other spot freight then gives me an equilibrium between "Groundhog Day" and my need to still see new things.
Since being on my own independent authority, I have had a lot of chances to prove to others just how hard I am willing to work to earn their business. Starting out by running just about everything that would fit in my dry box, for anybody willing to give it to me, gave me many opportunities for first impressions. It was many of these first impressions that led to a steady freight base for my current business model consisting of around 50% dedicated and 50% spot freight runs. Although everyone's perfect mix will differ from that of another person, finding that perfect balance for yourself will make you enjoy being a driver for a living that much more every day!