bearing

•  noun

1    have a bearing on sth to have a connection with or an influence on something:
?Leigh's comments have no bearing on the subject.
2    lose your bearings to become confused about where you are:
?Apparently the boat lost its bearings in the fog.
3    get your bearings to find out where you are or feel confident that you know what you are doing:
?It takes time to get your bearings in a new job.